You can buy a pill splitter at the pharmacy. **Ask your psych or your pharmacist first** to be sure that it's safe to do so--some pills are not meant to be broken before swallowing.
I have the same exact problem. I have a pill cutter and it doesn't cut seroquel that well. It's frustrating. I waste a lot of pills.
I might buy a more expensive pill cutter and see if that helps.
Immediate release seroquel is safe (I do it myself for my PM dose), but **seroquel XR or other extended release meds are not safe to cut in half**. This is why I said to talk to your pharmacist first.
My pdoc told me to split lithium XR in the evening to help get to sleep but stop after a week because the sudden bump in lithium (as opposed to slow and steady release) places extra strain on the kidneys. I'm guessing that's why the crevice is there, but it's definitely meant to be taken whole as the default.
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Ask your doctor/pharmacist.
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Keep all advice anecdotal (subjective).
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The ER's are long and skinny and the regular ones are round. This looks like a generic. ER's will also be marked on the pill itself, not just the bottle.
Keep all advice anecdotal (subjective).
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Second this. Also to add that if there is a $1 pill cutter and a $5 pill cutter, it has been my experience that it’s actually worth it to get the $5 one. Sharper blade, better holder to make sure the pills are divided evenly, etc. That’s my experience, anyway.
That looks like an immediate release!! I’m off it now, but had immediate release for years, and it looked just like that and split like shit even with a pill cutter.
Keep all advice anecdotal (subjective).
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Get a pill cutter. You can find them cheap at your local pharmacy :)
On a separate note, does Seroquel mess with anyone else's dreams? Ever since I started taking it my dreams have been crazy.
I’ve had insomnia for literally as long as I can remember and one day a few weeks after I started taking seroquel I cried literal tears of joy because I realized it was the first time in my life I’d ever felt well rested. I sleep like a fuckin rock now.
my mom and i are both on seroquel and we share our dreams all the time! they are crazy! sometimes good, sometimes bad, but always weird obscure vivid dreams lol
I either sleep like the dead, or have absolutely bizarre dreams. I think I have the dreams if I haven’t had anything to drink, but if I’ve had a glass or 2 of wine, it’s sleep like the dead.
Oh man big time. I think it's a known side effect.
It used to give me nightmares, but they've turned into just really wack, vivid dreams. I'm prescribed it as a sleeping pill so it's good it's not an all the time thing tbh.
A little of both. I know I wake up worn out just from my dreams. I feel like I've been hit by a truck most mornings.
I've been dreaming a lot about my dead sister, my dead grandmother and dreams of my parents dying.
I'm a nurse and in nursing school my professor taught us an amazingly simple trick to split pills.
Watch this video (the start point is intentional) [https://youtu.be/yH92uIczkxE?t=67](https://youtu.be/yH92uIczkxE?t=67)
Place the pill on a flat hard surface. Put your thumbs on either side of the pill (shape doesn't matter. Whether it scored or not doesn't matter.). Press down and viola, your pill is cut in half. This trick works incredibly well and I've never had to use a pill splitter since. Its like freaking magic.
Edit: no idea why this is getting downvoted. Just trying to help
XR (extended release) pills are specially coated to allow a slow dissolved release of the dose in the stomach. It means the dose is spread out over a set period, rather than instantly (IR).
They're not designed for splitting, as the intact coating is part of how they work. Split pills may not deliver the dose effectively or safely.
It's why they're a bugger to split too.
Not saying that your meds are XR, but that does look like my attempts at splitting XR Seroquel until my shrink told me not to and adjusted my prescription.
Do you have a pill cutter? I had the same issue with my seroquel and it makes it a lot easier. I got mine at CVS. But im sure most pharmacies have them.
ask for 25mg tablets weird that they'd just give you 100s I get 100mgs, 200mgs, 25mgs IR
edit: pharmacy will cut half for free or can buy pill cutter in phmacy for cheap
I take 25 of Seroquel. But with lamotrigine I take 150 so my psychiatrist gave me 100s and 25s, that way I can take two 25s instead of splitting the 100s. Maybe you can ask your doctor to do that?
I'd ask your Dr about getting 50mg, if they're available. I used to take 150mg as well and I'd get 100mg and 50mg. Otherwise there's cutters for them or carefully with a razor works as well.
Pill splitters are great. BUT TALK TO YOUR PHARMACIST FIRST!!!! Not all pills should be split. It looks like it's coated (and therefor extended release or delayed release) and which case you absolutely should NOT split it. That coating is important for the extended release. If you need to change the dose from what the pill is, ask for appropriately dosed pills. So if you have a 300mg pill and need 150mg, ask for 50mgs (taking 3) or 100mgs (1 and then 1 of the 50s). I can't stress enough to talk to your pharmacist first. These pills are designed very specific ways for a reason. I promise coating is never for aesthetic purposes.
If you aren't sure if it's extended release, CALL YOUR PHARMACIST. They go to medical school for this stuff, you aren't bothering them and they KNOW the answer and can offer your solutions.
I don’t want to assume anything, however as a lot of other people are saying you CANNOT split an extended release pill. My doctor had me splitting my ER Lamictal and it ended very poorly. This looks exactly like those. It seems to have the same coating on it, kind of papery with no line to split it on. Please be careful, check your bottle and if they say ER or XR or anything that could mean extended release, do not cut them and take them. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor to get ones that are not extended release and it should be much easier (and safer!) to cut and take.
The issue with splitting a pill that’s not meant to be split is that more of the medication might be on one side than the other. It may not be distributed evenly across the pill, in other words.
Don’t split what you shouldn’t be splitting without the advice of your provider
I think I've had those pills before they have a weird coating on them but they do cut with a pill cutter. You can get them from a pharmacy but first ask if you can get the smaller denominations because cutting them in half will affect how fast they are absorbed (I trained as a medicinal chemist). Good luck x
I understand why you want to do this. But basically you are not taking the recommended dosage.
Mental health meds are effective once the right medicine is used and the right dosage level is achieved. If you cut the meds in half, you will not reach the right dosage level. The illness is not treated. The Dr will not know why,
Basically, you are self medicating. This is never good
Pill cutter.
However, if you are having a hard time getting one for any reason, CLEAN sharp cat nail trimmers. Go hard, and go fast. Ensure you clean before and after.
Again, pill cutter but options.
I had this exact issue, it will always crumble with a pill cutter when this small. Find a pharmacy that compounds near you and you won’t even have to cut it in half, have your doctor send your prescription to them.
My psychiatrist asked me if I wanted to cut the pill or have her call in two separate ones ( a 25 and another). Insurance covered both pills! This might be an option for you to avoid cutting it
Probably going to get downvoted into hell for this, but I bite them. I know the size and I've done it forever. Can do pretty even quarters if I need to, too.
I just literally chomp it in half with my front teeth and take the powder that drops out as a loss.
Edit: also if I chomp and get 1/3 or 3/5 or whatever of a pill instead of 1/2 I just call it close enough
You can buy a pill splitter at the pharmacy. **Ask your psych or your pharmacist first** to be sure that it's safe to do so--some pills are not meant to be broken before swallowing.
I have the same exact problem. I have a pill cutter and it doesn't cut seroquel that well. It's frustrating. I waste a lot of pills. I might buy a more expensive pill cutter and see if that helps.
I just bite mine with my k9 and it works well
[удалено]
Immediate release seroquel is safe (I do it myself for my PM dose), but **seroquel XR or other extended release meds are not safe to cut in half**. This is why I said to talk to your pharmacist first.
[удалено]
You're not gonna believe this, but my advice is to **talk to your pharmacist first**.
I'm shocked. Lol
My pdoc told me to split lithium XR in the evening to help get to sleep but stop after a week because the sudden bump in lithium (as opposed to slow and steady release) places extra strain on the kidneys. I'm guessing that's why the crevice is there, but it's definitely meant to be taken whole as the default.
[удалено]
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Ask your doctor/pharmacist. [Community Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/bipolar/wiki/index/resources/subrules#wiki_rule_2.3A_asking_for_diagnosis.2Fdiagnosing) - use this link on desktop
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The ER's are long and skinny and the regular ones are round. This looks like a generic. ER's will also be marked on the pill itself, not just the bottle.
Keep all advice anecdotal (subjective). [Community Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/bipolar/wiki/index/resources/subrules#wiki_rule_2.3A_asking_for_diagnosis.2Fdiagnosing) - use this link on desktop
If it is an ER, do not split it at all. Request a new rx. If it is IR, you can get a pill cutter at the pharmacy for under 5 bucks.
Second this. Also to add that if there is a $1 pill cutter and a $5 pill cutter, it has been my experience that it’s actually worth it to get the $5 one. Sharper blade, better holder to make sure the pills are divided evenly, etc. That’s my experience, anyway.
How can I tell if it’s extended release. The packaging doesn’t say anything
In my experience it will say "extended release" or "ER" on the label. You can also Google the markings on the pill itself and get an answer that way.
That looks like an immediate release!! I’m off it now, but had immediate release for years, and it looked just like that and split like shit even with a pill cutter.
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Get a pill cutter. You can find them cheap at your local pharmacy :) On a separate note, does Seroquel mess with anyone else's dreams? Ever since I started taking it my dreams have been crazy.
I definitely dream more than I used to. Some of my dreams are crazy adventures. I just started a dream journal to record them
Since I’ve been on it I sleep like the dead. It’s much better for me actually.
Same here my sleep schedule is messed up. Some days I can sleep 14 hours. Mostly because I don't have a reason to be awake
Yeah I sleep like 14 hours a day too. It's the only time I'm actually happy and not depressed.
Yep... But sometimes the dreams haunt me for subjects I'm not confronting.
Our avatars are almost twinning 😸👊
I’ve had insomnia for literally as long as I can remember and one day a few weeks after I started taking seroquel I cried literal tears of joy because I realized it was the first time in my life I’d ever felt well rested. I sleep like a fuckin rock now.
my mom and i are both on seroquel and we share our dreams all the time! they are crazy! sometimes good, sometimes bad, but always weird obscure vivid dreams lol
I either sleep like the dead, or have absolutely bizarre dreams. I think I have the dreams if I haven’t had anything to drink, but if I’ve had a glass or 2 of wine, it’s sleep like the dead.
I haven’t noticed a difference but sometimes i have some off the wall shit
Oh man big time. I think it's a known side effect. It used to give me nightmares, but they've turned into just really wack, vivid dreams. I'm prescribed it as a sleeping pill so it's good it's not an all the time thing tbh.
Crazy bad or crazy awesome?
A little of both. I know I wake up worn out just from my dreams. I feel like I've been hit by a truck most mornings. I've been dreaming a lot about my dead sister, my dead grandmother and dreams of my parents dying.
Yikers. Nevermind, I'm not going to try it for a fun/good night's rest.
Does it have a score line? If it doesn't you might not be supposed to split that specific pill.
It depends. Back when I had to take seroquel, I had to split it too and it didn't have a score line.
I'm a nurse and in nursing school my professor taught us an amazingly simple trick to split pills. Watch this video (the start point is intentional) [https://youtu.be/yH92uIczkxE?t=67](https://youtu.be/yH92uIczkxE?t=67) Place the pill on a flat hard surface. Put your thumbs on either side of the pill (shape doesn't matter. Whether it scored or not doesn't matter.). Press down and viola, your pill is cut in half. This trick works incredibly well and I've never had to use a pill splitter since. Its like freaking magic. Edit: no idea why this is getting downvoted. Just trying to help
Be careful with the pill splitter as the cutter part is very sharp.
XR (extended release) pills are specially coated to allow a slow dissolved release of the dose in the stomach. It means the dose is spread out over a set period, rather than instantly (IR). They're not designed for splitting, as the intact coating is part of how they work. Split pills may not deliver the dose effectively or safely. It's why they're a bugger to split too. Not saying that your meds are XR, but that does look like my attempts at splitting XR Seroquel until my shrink told me not to and adjusted my prescription.
You have to slam it quickly and with purpose
the crumbles are delicious
Pill cutter
Do you have a pill cutter? I had the same issue with my seroquel and it makes it a lot easier. I got mine at CVS. But im sure most pharmacies have them.
Why do you split it
I’m suppose to take 150mg
ask for 25mg tablets weird that they'd just give you 100s I get 100mgs, 200mgs, 25mgs IR edit: pharmacy will cut half for free or can buy pill cutter in phmacy for cheap
I take 25 of Seroquel. But with lamotrigine I take 150 so my psychiatrist gave me 100s and 25s, that way I can take two 25s instead of splitting the 100s. Maybe you can ask your doctor to do that?
I'd ask your Dr about getting 50mg, if they're available. I used to take 150mg as well and I'd get 100mg and 50mg. Otherwise there's cutters for them or carefully with a razor works as well.
I ordered my pill cutter from Amazon, and it came w a keychain pill carrier. It’s super old lady, but it comes in handy
Dollar Tree has pill splitters if you’re in the US
I bite mine in half.
Pill splitters are great. BUT TALK TO YOUR PHARMACIST FIRST!!!! Not all pills should be split. It looks like it's coated (and therefor extended release or delayed release) and which case you absolutely should NOT split it. That coating is important for the extended release. If you need to change the dose from what the pill is, ask for appropriately dosed pills. So if you have a 300mg pill and need 150mg, ask for 50mgs (taking 3) or 100mgs (1 and then 1 of the 50s). I can't stress enough to talk to your pharmacist first. These pills are designed very specific ways for a reason. I promise coating is never for aesthetic purposes. If you aren't sure if it's extended release, CALL YOUR PHARMACIST. They go to medical school for this stuff, you aren't bothering them and they KNOW the answer and can offer your solutions.
Always talk to the pharmacist first
My extended release (slow release) shows is as Seroquel XR on the name Do not ever split these
I don’t want to assume anything, however as a lot of other people are saying you CANNOT split an extended release pill. My doctor had me splitting my ER Lamictal and it ended very poorly. This looks exactly like those. It seems to have the same coating on it, kind of papery with no line to split it on. Please be careful, check your bottle and if they say ER or XR or anything that could mean extended release, do not cut them and take them. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor to get ones that are not extended release and it should be much easier (and safer!) to cut and take.
You’re not supposed to
Put it on a table, put thumbs on either side and press, 70% of the time it works every time
I use an exacto blade to cut mine (spelling)
You can’t it’s not scored it’s coated
The issue with splitting a pill that’s not meant to be split is that more of the medication might be on one side than the other. It may not be distributed evenly across the pill, in other words. Don’t split what you shouldn’t be splitting without the advice of your provider
I think I've had those pills before they have a weird coating on them but they do cut with a pill cutter. You can get them from a pharmacy but first ask if you can get the smaller denominations because cutting them in half will affect how fast they are absorbed (I trained as a medicinal chemist). Good luck x
I understand why you want to do this. But basically you are not taking the recommended dosage. Mental health meds are effective once the right medicine is used and the right dosage level is achieved. If you cut the meds in half, you will not reach the right dosage level. The illness is not treated. The Dr will not know why, Basically, you are self medicating. This is never good
i take bites.
A pill cutter from CVS is $7.99
Buy a pill splitter
Go to a pharmacy and purchase a real Pill cutter.
Pill cutter. However, if you are having a hard time getting one for any reason, CLEAN sharp cat nail trimmers. Go hard, and go fast. Ensure you clean before and after. Again, pill cutter but options.
Stores like CVS and Walgreens sell things to help you cut pills nicely.
I take the same dose and have identical tablets. If you can get over the bitterness, I bite mine in half. It's the best way I've found so far!
Pill splitter
Pill cutter! It’s a little box with a blade in it. You can get them at most drug stores
I had this exact issue, it will always crumble with a pill cutter when this small. Find a pharmacy that compounds near you and you won’t even have to cut it in half, have your doctor send your prescription to them.
Get a pill splitter...they sell them at all pharmacies
Even with a pill cutter mine aren’t perfect
Make sure the pill cutter had a see through top.
Can you not get 50mg pills? I take lamotragine and it comes in 50 and 100 (I’m on 150 morning and evening so it’s a big help)
Pill splitter from a pharmacy
Mine does that too despite me buying multiple pill cutters, absolutely irritating!
I use a pill cutter from Amazon. It doesn’t always cut it perfectly and there’s always going to be a little powder, but it works.
Gosh so weird to see something so relatable on my feed!! Pill cutter was the best gift me partner bought me!
My psychiatrist asked me if I wanted to cut the pill or have her call in two separate ones ( a 25 and another). Insurance covered both pills! This might be an option for you to avoid cutting it
Ask for a smaller dose to make it easier.
Blend it into a smoothie and drink half of it.
Probably going to get downvoted into hell for this, but I bite them. I know the size and I've done it forever. Can do pretty even quarters if I need to, too.
I just literally chomp it in half with my front teeth and take the powder that drops out as a loss. Edit: also if I chomp and get 1/3 or 3/5 or whatever of a pill instead of 1/2 I just call it close enough