My doctor lowered my dosage of Seroquel and I had just gotten a refill a week ago and it will save me a lot of money and stress to just cut the pills in half (he lowered it to half the dosage I have now). I know you're typically not supposed to cut extended release tablets in half, but is it dangerous? Has anyone done this? It seems like such a waste, I have 60 pills in this bottle.
Seroquel XR - Can I cut it in half?
Started by
radicalfeminist
, Feb 15 2013 02:58 PM
Seroquel Seroquel XR
7 replies to this topic
#1
radicalfeminist
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I'll figure out what I want to do with my life after this nap
Posted 15 February 2013 - 02:58 PM
#2
miab
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Posted 15 February 2013 - 03:04 PM
Someone else here might be able to give you a more scientific answer, but in my opinion it's not worth the risk. Extended release tablets generally have a special coating, which you'll break if you split it. I think the risk then is that you'll get the full dose all at once and completely lose the XR feature (and presumably your pdoc had a reason for prescribing XR instead of instant release).
BPI, current daily cocktail: Lithium 1000mg, Seroquel XR 600mg, Seroquel IR 100mg, Diazepam 5mg prn
Ex meds, as far as I can recall: Amitriptyline, Ativan, Clozapine, Effexor XR, Fluanxol, Lamotrigine, Ritalin, Solian, Tegretol, Thorazine, Trilpetal, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Zolpidem, Zyprexa
The horror of getting up is unparalleled, and I am filled with amazement every morning when I find that I have done it.
-- Lytton Strachey
#3
mcjimjam
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Posted 15 February 2013 - 03:21 PM
It's not really dangerous but still it would be better to get a refill. If you take split pills, it may not last for as long as your pdoc intended.
Dx: BP2, ADD
Rx: Lithium 1000mg, Cymbalta 60mg, Concerta 36mg, Remeron 15mg
#4
radicalfeminist
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I'll figure out what I want to do with my life after this nap
Posted 15 February 2013 - 05:28 PM
Hmm, he cut the dosage in half and switched it to IR, actually. I don't know if that changes anything. I'm probably just going to end up getting the new meds in a couple weeks and I'm wondering if I should take the whole pill or just cut it in half to get myself started. I guess its just best to suck it up and wait, though. Thanks for the responses, guys.
#5
HAL9000
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I'm sorry Dave. I can't do that.
Posted 15 February 2013 - 08:18 PM
Ask if its ok to finish the old pills. Cutting extended relief pills is a bad idea. If I understand this it will give you a days worth all at once and you don't want the all at once dose or the nothing you'll get for the next 23 hours.
*P.S. don't sweat the waste of the pills. I hate to tell you how many most of us have collected and tossed trying to find the right one(s) Its ok! Really...
"Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over."
About Me
DX: Mood Problem, Anxiety Problem, adjustment reaction with anxious mood, Insomnia
Meds: Bupropion SR(Wellbutrin SR®), Buspirone(BuSpar®), Zolpidem ER(Ambien CR®), Diazepam(Valium®) P.R.N.,
ExMeds:Citalopram (Celexa®), Trazadone
#6
radicalfeminist
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I'll figure out what I want to do with my life after this nap
Posted 15 February 2013 - 09:29 PM
Yeah, I've thrown out meds I had switched from before but it seems wasteful since I just filled them. 
Oh well. I think I can cover it, I'll just take the old amount until then.
#7
melissaw72
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You are about to exceed the limits of my medication.
Posted 15 February 2013 - 10:20 PM
Cutting the XR pills won't give you an equal dose in each half. One half could be all with the other nothing, or one pill 30% and the other 70%, etc. If your body is used to the XR, the amount given in each half could be too much at once.
Current Psychiatric Dxs ... Schizoaffective, bipolar type; Anxiety disorder, PTSD, agoraphobia
Also recovered Anorexic/Bulimic finally after 20 years.
Current meds: Provigil, Klonopin, Naltrexone, Wellbutrin, Abilify, Lamictal, Prozac, Lansoprazole (Rx strength), Linzess, Flonase, Methimazole, QVAR inhaler, Xopenex inhaler, Xanax, atenolol.
Any questions just ask 
How long a minute is depends on which side of the bathroom door you're on.
#8
crazyguy82
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Posted 16 February 2013 - 12:26 PM
I've snapped them in half a few times I suffered no ill effects, you might get more of the dose more quickly, blood levels may fluctuate.
Current Diagnosis: Treatment resistant MDD, GAD and a few other undefined Crazies!
Current Meds: Lyrica and Seroquel. Ativan PRN
Past Meds: Citalopram, Mirtazapine, Effexor, Cymbalta, diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam, temazepam, Ambien, Sonata, zopiclone, T3, tryptophan , lithium, rispiradone, Zyprexa, Buspar.There are prob more just can't remember!
Current Meds: Lyrica and Seroquel. Ativan PRN
Past Meds: Citalopram, Mirtazapine, Effexor, Cymbalta, diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam, temazepam, Ambien, Sonata, zopiclone, T3, tryptophan , lithium, rispiradone, Zyprexa, Buspar.There are prob more just can't remember!
