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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Verapamil 240 mg  SA  Cutting in half
        
(Message started by: hop on Apr 15^th, 2005, 6:47pm)

Title: Verapamil 240 mg SA Cutting in half
Post by hop on Apr 15^th, 2005, 6:47pm

Is it okay to cut verapamil 240 SA in half to increase dosage to 360 mg from 240? pharmacist stated literature said "not" to cut SA. It is a light blue color pill with M 411. Last time I had headaches, doctor had me cut pills in half. Can't remember if pill was a sustained release type or not.

Any help will be appreciated.

Title: Re: Verapamil 240 mg SA Cutting in hal
Post by BikerBob on Apr 15^th, 2005, 7:41pm

Yes, it's OK to split them.

M 411's are verapamil ER 240mg tablets, light blue. They're even made for splitting so they're more than twice as long as they are wide and have a cut line in the middle for splitting.

Bob

Title: Re: Verapamil 240 mg SA Cutting in half
Post by Marc on Apr 15^th, 2005, 7:45pm

I use the same, and cut them on the scored line also.

Marc

Title: Re: Verapamil 240 mg SA Cutting in half
Post by hop on Apr 15^th, 2005, 7:50pm

thanks to both of you for the information!

Title: Re: Verapamil 240 mg SA Cutting in half
Post by Lizzie2 on Apr 18^th, 2005, 1:40pm

Ordinarily breaking a sustained release tab is a very bad thing...because it releases the medication into your system too much too fast (hence sustained release)...

But I believe the above info is correct. It wouldn't hurt to call your pharmacy.

I used to split mine in half along a scored line, which the nurse at the neurology office told me I could do.

Double check with your pharmacist or doctor first just to be safe! :) Don't want to wind up with a blood pressure that can't perfuse your brain if you get too much verap at once. ;)

Best wishes!
Lizzie :)

Title: Re: Verapamil 240 mg SA Cutting in hal
Post by Ueli on Apr 18^th, 2005, 7:51pm

From http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/verapsr.htm:

Quote:

Sustained-Release/Extended-Release Tablets: The tablets are designed for sustained release of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract; sustained-release characteristics are not altered when the tablet is divided in half.

It's the extended release (ER, PM) capsules (that take several hours to dissolve and set free the drug) that should not be broken.

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