VA TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
PROJECT REPORT – PATIENT SUMMARY
ON
Tablet Splitting

In this report:

• What is tablet splitting?
• Why was the VA interested in Tablet Splitting?
• Why are doctors asking patients to split tablets?
• Why is tablet splitting important to patients?
• How did the VA investigate this topic?
• What did the VA find?
• Can all tablets be split?
• How will doctors know if there is a problem with the way tablets are split?
• What should be done if there is a problem with tablet splitting?

What is tablet splitting?
Tablet splitting is the practice of asking patients to cut tablets in half.

Why was the VA interested in Tablet Splitting?
The VA wrote a report on tablet splitting to make sure that splitting pills does not affect the health of patients.

Why are doctors asking patients to split tablets?
Some pills with higher doses are less expensive. To reduce costs, many physicians are prescribing pills that have twice the dose a patient needs and then ask the patient to split the pills in half. To make sure the patient takes the correct dose, patients are given a device called a tablet splitter to split the pills in half.

Why is tablet splitting important to patients?
Tablet splitting is important because cutting pills into two equal halves can be tricky, even with a tablet splitter. The unequal halves of a pill mean that some pills have more medicine and some have less. This may be harmful to some patients.

How did the VA investigate this topic?
The VA reviewed the medical literature to determine if tablet splitting was harmful to patients.

What did the VA find?
The VA did not find any studies that indicated tablet splitting was harmful to patients.

Can all tablets be split?
No. Tablets cannot be split if they are coated to protect the stomach, provide drug release throughout the day, crumble easily, irritate your mouth, taste extremely bitter, or contain dyes that could stain your teeth and your mouth.

How will doctors know if there is a problem with the way tablets are split?
Physicians and pharmacists should check the ability of their patients to split tablets.

What should be done if there is a problem with tablet splitting?
Any problems with tablet splitting should be reported to your physician or pharmacist.

 

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