By Amy Cook-Porter

In today’s economy who can afford to be sick?  And prescription medication – those overpriced drugs – are ranging anywhere from $1 – $10 a pill.  So is it a wonder that patients do what they can to make them last?

Now the FDA has issued a warning about splitting tablets.  They say it could be dangerous.  With that I agree.

The pharmacies selling Viagra and other male meds, made buying a larger dose and “cutting it down to size” popular.  Buy a handy pill cutting kit at the local pharmacy for $5.00 and voila, a 1 month supply (from what I hear is 9 pills) turns into 36 pills.

Now here’s the first dilemma.  Not all pills are cut alike.  Some are bigger; some smaller.  So that means the dose varies.  For the sensual male, this isn’t a big deal.  The smaller ones are good for an Afternoon Delight; the larger, for going at it all night.

But, what if we are talking about other medications that need equal doses?  Uneven cutting could be a problem.

Here are other concerns:

Forgetting to cut the pills.  This happens.  Get busy, run out of cut pills, and then need one.  Would taking a whole pill hurt.  If the original prescription dosage called for 15 mg; and this dose was 30 mg, the dosage is way too much.  Will it hurt?  Why risk it?

Being lazy or forgetful is not a good thing.  Nor is being creative.  Don’t try breaking a tablet with your teeth, hoping lessen the dosage.  Once the pill is wet with saliva, chemistry interactions begin.  Not a good thing for the half not being swallowed.

This is especially a concern if the pill or capsule has a time-release coating.  Once you break the outer seal, you’ve compromised the time release and the content inside.

So my advice, find a good health care provider who works with plants, not chemicals.  That way you won’t have to worry about time-released coatings, splitting pills and chemical interactions.  Herbs work as effectively, cost much less, and most don’t require a long term commitment.

To read the full FDA article that was posted on July 21, 2009 go to http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm171492.htm