Pill Cutter

​fesk

Hello,

Having difficulty cutting pills in half evenly. I tried a few different pill cutters but am still having the same issue. Does anyone have a pill cutter they recommend?

Thanks!

JJ401

I’m anxiously awaiting an answer too. I have to cut a pill in half for me, not DH. I do my best, but I find it almost impossible to do it equally. I’ve resigned myself to inequality.

May flowers

I use one sort of like this: https://www.exmed.net/tech-med-pill-cutter and it seems to work pretty well, at least for smaller pills

harshedbuzz

I have a friend whose pharmacist cuts them for her. The prescription has to be written in such a way that this is appropriate; not all medications should be cut either because the medication has a special coating to release the medication or because it's not the prescribed dose. 

I used a cheapie cutter when my cat was on Valium and needed his meds quartered. Replacing the blade often is key.

Rescue mom

I’ve never had a problem with those like mayflowers linked to, they’re at the counter at drugstores etc. Very inexpensive. 

But HB point is solid—there can be negative effects in splitting some pills. Kinda funny, I got one for pets,  and my pharmacist was quick to ask why I wanted it. She said some of the meds I take should never be split. I was impressed she noticed, much less remembered my Rx.

May flowers

To add to HB and Rescue’s points, anything extended release should not be split or crushed. I had to get the hospice doc to prescribe a different med because he had prescribed an XR drug and all of my LOs meds have to be crushed in applesauce.

Rescue mom

Also, my pharmacist said and doctors since agreed, with some pills, the amount of medicine inside is very small and may well not be distributed equally throughout the pill. 

By splitting, you may get more/less of the med than you’re supposed to, per dose.

That kind of surprised me, to the extent I ever thought about it. I assumed it was like a cake, maybe, where everything is evenly mixed. But apparently it’s not that simple with some meds.

Iris L.

HB, I looked at the blade in my cutter and it does look dull.  How would I replace it? What type of blade? I might just get a new cutter, this one is several years old.  Thanks.

Iris

JDancer

If the pill is scored down the middle. (Which is also a good indication it's safe to split) Lay the pill on a hard, flat surface and press on the edges on either side of the scored line, it should break in half evenly.

​fesk

Thank you all for the replies. 

I had a pill cutter similar to what May flowers posted, but not that brand. Maybe I'll try that brand. I then bought an EquaDose that works a little differently. I'm not having any better luck with that pill cutter. 

I thought about asking the pharmacist, so I think I will do that. The prescription clearly calls for half a pill so it is safe to be cut. I cannot cut them evenly though, and I feel like the differing doses are having an impact.

Rescue mom, I did hear recently that the medicine may not be evenly distributed in the pill too. I had never thought that would be the case either.

Stuck in the middle

I use the Walgreen Safety Shield.  It doesn't cut them precisely, but it's pretty close.  Cost about $6 IIRC

ElCy

Sometimes it’s easier to just use your hands. Works better than a knife.

harshedbuzz

Iris-

The one I had when I was splitting Valium for the cat took a standard utility blade from the hardware store. I used a pair of pliers to remove the old one and place the new one. I could have done it bare-handed, but I felt like the using pliers was a bit safer.

HB

Rescue mom

I’ll use fingers if do-able. But with a knife or other tools, seems like they shattered and/or crumbled. At least the cutters contained the contents….

.(who would have thought I we could say so much about pill cutters .

May flowers

Lol, rescue mom, isn’t that the truth!

I think the hard (enteric?) coated pills are the hardest to cut. One of my FIL’s pills is so hard to crush for that reason.

Iris L.

Thank you, HB.  I don't have any loose razor blades.  Anyway, I purchased another pill cutter yesterday for $8, but I got it for $4 with my coupons.

I have also tried splitting pills by placing the edge of a knife on the split, and gently tapping the knife.  This works.

Iris

​fesk

I'm unable to cut them with a knife. I will ask the pharmacy and, if they won't do it, try a new pill cutter.

JDancer

May Flowers, It may not be safe to cut an enteric coated pill. Cutting, or crushing would compromise the coating. Please check with a pharmacist

May flowers

Thanks, JDancer, I agree with you and I did check before crushing the med. I check before every med

Olly_Bake

Our aide purchased the one that is to function as a pill crusher and a pill cutter when she started. No dice in even cutting and don’t get me started on the crushing ability. So I stick with the one I purchased and other times just grab a knife. I realize the pills will not be perfectly even but I'm okay with close enough at this point. And get the pill holder set for the week.

My crushing technique is to take the pills for the morning or evening and put them in the little zipper pill bag pouch. Then take that little pouch and lay it on top of a small Ziploc bag. Fold it and start hammering with my meat tenderizer tool. I do not end up with a very fine powder but it is fine enough to mix in well with his apple sauce or pudding, etc. 

​fesk

Oily, I've been using this crusher: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ezy-Dose-Easy-Grip-Pill-Crusher-and-Grinder-Built-in-Storage/42542281 

It works ok. Sometimes you have to get the pill in the right place, so it may take a couple of tries but it works fairly well.

I asked the pharmacy and they wouldn't cut the pills. Maybe I'll try a knife and see how that goes. I don't think that will work. If not, I'll buy another pill cutter. I'm going to have a drawer full soon.

JDancer

If your LO has a hard time swallowing pills, you might try whole pills hidden in applesauce or jelly before moving on to crushing the pills. It's surprising how many people can manage whole pills hidden in something thick. Some will "pocket" pills or fail to swallow, but it's worth a try because it's so much easier than crushing.

May flowers

Fesk, I use that one - so much better with the big grips (especially with my arthritis!)

JDancer, we tried whole pills in applesauce and pudding, he just reached in his mouth and picked out the pills

​fesk

I also do not have any luck hiding a pill. She will take it out of her mouth. Even if there is a somewhat smaller piece that isn't crushed enough, she will take it out.

And a no to cutting with a knife. That was a mess for me.

Olly_Bake

Fesk, got that pill crusher today. I had seen it in store before and went yeah right. Was just tired of tossing away. This one works beautifully and does as well as the meat tenderizer tool. Yay us!

​fesk

That's great, Oily. Every little bit helps.

JJAz

I had this problem with a pill for my dog that I have to split into 5 equal parts.  I had an inexpensive diamond scale ($25) and weigh out the "crumbs" to ensure that they are split equally.

https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Weigh-GEM20-Precision-Milligram/dp/B00ESHDGOI/ref=asc_df_B00ESHDGOI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167134584690&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7664848355918036678&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030073&hvtargid=pla-304071963067&psc=1

​fesk

Thanks, JJAz. I have thought about doing that. I'll check out the link.

michiganpat

I tried different pill cutters and found what works best is a single edge razor blade.

FloydSnax

The one the pharmacy gave me has stopped cutting my mom's blood pressure pills in half. So, I've just been cutting them with my hands(thumbs). Doing it this way so long that I know the best length of nail that should remain when cutting my nails. Seems to be as precise as the one the pharmacist gave me. But not with really short thumb nails.

AadenMeyer

Actually, a knife is the best pill cutter I’ve ever used. Maybe, I’ve not found a good cutter yet. Still, sometimes cutting the pill with a knife or your hands is easier. Tbh, I respect those pharmacists who cut the pills for you. Sometimes I buy pills at this pharmacy https://www.aptekastore.com/en/no-spa-noshpa.html where they cut pills when you ask them to do it. I wish this pharmacy had been closer to my house. Anyway, I’ll be grateful for any suggestions on the pill cutter. My grandmother needs it. Is it real to find something worthy on Amazon?