29/11/2025
Should you cut/crush your tablet?
Many tablets are specially designed (SR, ER, CR, MR, EC) to release medicine slowly or protect the drug/stomach. When you cut or crush them, the whole dose may release at once (dose dumping), the drug may get destroyed, or it may irritate the stomach. This can lead to toxicity, reduced effectiveness, or treatment failure.
Some medicines become dangerous when powdered, exposing you or your family to hormonal, cytotoxic, or irritant particles. Splitting also causes uneven doses, especially for medicines with a narrow safety range.
Always check with a pharmacist before altering any tablet.
References: Aulton’s Pharmaceutics; Re*****on; Martindale; USP ; White & Bradnam.