Cutting film coated tablets? Brintellix?

[JohnBoy2000]

The tablet specifically is, "Brintellix" or, "Trintellix".

Started it about a week ago and got a box of 20 mg's.

Now want to move to a lower dose - but not wanted to spend the cost of another box.

Brintellix is shaped unusually, and not scored - which would have to make one think a ploy on behalf of Lundbeck to prevent people such as myself employing cost efficiency by buying high doses and cutting them as needed - as it commonly done with the likes of Sertraline etc.

So - it's labelled "immediate release" - but then, it is film coated - so, I have no idea how this works.

It's hard to cut evennly but, I can manage.

It's just whether it effects the actual release or absorption of the drug itself - is what I'd be concerned with?

 

[sekio]

I think the film coating is just to reduce taste/make it easier to swallow, no reason you can't cut these in half.

 

[JohnBoy2000]

Just out of curiousity - does the same go for brand named Cialis - that also has that almond, difficult to cut shape?

Non pharmacology forums suggest on occasion that, cutting a pill and leaving a non film coated side exposed, can deplete the efficacy of the drug?

So basically - if it's not stated specifically that it has a time release mechanism like Wellbutrin XL - it should be okay to cut??

 

[sekio]

Usually it's safe to assume that, yeah. IR tablets should be homogenous within and should disintegrate/dissolve quickly anyway.

 

[Lucy Bookit]

Just out of curiousity - does the same go for brand named Cialis - that also has that almond, difficult to cut shape?

I believe that it wouldn't be an issue to cut Cialis, since it's not meant as an extended release product.
Also, the generic (Tadalafil) just came out on 10/1... if you're thinking of cutting the tablet due to price, you may want to look into switching to the generic on your next refill/talking to your pharmacy. Just an FYI. (I'm a pharmacy tech)