Highlights
- Consumers can cut Viagra in half to yield two doses of the appropriate strength.
- If you do choose to split your medications, it’s advisable to follow certain guidelines to avoid possible problems.
- Not all medications can be split, and not every patient should split pills.
- Always consult with a doctor about your correct dose of Viagra and whether it’s a good idea to split your medication.
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Michael DiLeo, MD, has over 30 years of experience in clinical and academic medicine. Through medical school, residency, and private practice, he has functioned as both a specialist and a primary care practitioner. He has twice served as chief of staff of a large regional hospital. He is a published author on women's health for McGraw-Hill. Now writing full time, he is passionate about medical accuracy on the internet. Contributing original content as well as vetting the information people rely upon for accuracy, he appreciates the importance of these roles as readers base decisions on the information provided by the media. Dr. DiLeo believes that while the internet is no substitute for established medical care, it is invaluable as a source of education.
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People split pills for different reasons. Some cut pills in half to make them easier to swallow, while many do it to save money: It can be a better value to buy higher-dosage pills and split them in half.
As consumer advocates explain, savvy consumers can sometimes save money and maximize their healthcare dollars by splitting ED medication. If you do choose to split a medication like Viagra in half, it’s important to remember to follow an important list of do’s and don’ts.
When Can Splitting Pills Save You Money?
While a prescription for a 100 milligram pill of a particular drug may cost $10, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay $20 for a prescription for the 200 milligram pill. In fact, the 200 milligram version may cost the same price or only slightly more than its 100 milligram counterpart. By cutting the 200 milligram pill in half, you’ll get twice as many doses for the same price as the 100 milligram.
If you are considering splitting pills to save money, take a look at what the higher dosage pill costs in comparison to the lower dosage pill. If you can cut your Viagra pill (or other medication) in half and have it cost less than a pill of that halved dosage, it will be to your financial benefit to split your medication.
Can Any Pill Be Split?
No. Some pills should never be split. Do not split pills if they:
- Have a hard, outer coating. Cutting the coating can change the way your body absorbs the medicine.
- Have extended-release features. Pills that are designed to give you medication throughout the day can lose this ability if cut in half, or worse, they can release a whole day’s medication at one time.
- Are in capsule form. Because this kind of pill contains powder or gel, they will leak if cut and you will lose some of the medication.
- Are very small or have an uneven shape. These types of pills are simply too difficult to split.
- Crumble easily. Some drugs easily turn to powder, making both the splitting and the taking of them more difficult.
- Are not “scored.” This means there is a dividing line on the pill for splitting.
Splitting pills inappropriately can mean the possibility of an uneven dose and more difficulty in taking the drug.
Is It Safe to Split Viagra Pills?
Yes! The good news is that erectile dysfunction (ED) pills like Viagra are commonly split, and this can be done safely and easily with a good splitter. (You’ll get a free pill splitter with your first order here at eDrugstore.com).
Viagra (and its generic equivalent, sildenafil) is often prescribed in dosages of 25 milligrams, 50 milligrams, and 100 milligrams. This means that it may be more cost effective for you to receive a prescription for a higher dosage, such as 100 milligrams, and split it in half to take 50 milligrams. Your doctor will make a recommendation of Viagra or sildenafil dosage, taking into account:
- Your age
- Any medical conditions that you may have
- Other medications that you may be taking
Once your doctor has recommended a dosage, you should feel empowered to split your Viagra prescription.
Know How to Cut a Pill in Half
If you choose to split your Viagra prescription, follow these do’s and don’ts.
Do:
- Get your doctor to OK the idea. Your doctor may have specific reasons to warn you about splitting pills. If you have problems with memory, poor eyesight, or hand tremors, for example, your doctor may advise against it.
- Get a good splitter. In order to create two pieces of pill that are similar in size and dosage, don’t use a knife or scissors to cut your Viagra. Instead, buy a pill cutter at your local pharmacy or order your medication from eDrugstore and get a free, quality splitter with your first order with a safety cover to avoid cutting yourself when you push down to cut the pill, a V-shaped pill grip to hold the pill in place, and rubber-coated wings to more securely hold the pill.
- Split only at the medication’s “score” line. This will assure you of uniformity of dosage in each half. The score is part of a manufacturing standard to indicate the drug is distributed evenly throughout the medication. If unscored, all or most of the drug can favor one side, meaning you may get too much or not enough — or none at all!
- Keep your pill splitter clean. Always wash your hands before handling your medication, and wash and dry the pill splitter thoroughly after use. This will reduce cross-contamination and expose you to fewer harmful germs.
- Split pills one at a time. Some medication can deteriorate when exposed to the air or moisture, reducing its effectiveness. Splitting one at a time will help keep the drug fresh.
Don’t:
- Use a knife to split your pills. Using a knife or scissors to cut your pill in half runs the risk of ending up with two pills of unequal dosage, while losing a substantial amount of medicine in the process. Pills split using knives often deviate from the recommended doses, which can be dangerous. Only use a quality pill splitter like the free one provided by eDrugstore, which will divide the pill correctly and allow for an even cut.
- Split pills to extend a prescription. While pill splitting can work to save money, never try to make your medication “last” or “stretch” by splitting into doses less than what your doctor prescribed. Make sure you are taking the correct dose.
- Split pills into smaller pieces than halves. Trying to split a pill into thirds or fourths increases the chance of crumbling and heightens the possibility that you will not receive the correct dose of your medication. It is essential with a medication like Viagra that you not use more of it than recommended by your doctor.
Learn About Your Viagra Dosage and Save Money
At eDrugstore, you can schedule a free online consultation with a doctor or pharmacist, and receive a free pill splitter with your prescription.
Buying your Viagra or sildenafil online has multiple benefits. eDrugstore can save you time and money. We are the leader in telehealth and online pharmacy. We sell both Viagra and sildenafil citrate, its generic equivalent, as well as other FDA-approved ED medications, such as Levitra, Cialis, Staxyn, and Stendra.
Our U.S.-based doctors and pharmacists are ready to help you choose the medication that’s right for you.
Buy Viagra Online Today
To learn more about all the ED medications and other prescription and over-the-counter medications available from eDrugstore, pay a visit to our erectile dysfunction page to learn more about Viagra and sildenafil.
Elizabeth Nichols is an experienced and flexible author with extensive experience in both popular media and academic publishing. She specializes in health, medical and travel writing.
