Pill Splitting ArticlesThe practice of pill splitting has become increasingly popular as the cost of prescription drugs has skyrocketed in recent years and many pharmaceutical companies have initiated a flat pricing structure. Individuals have begun to consider the money-saving concept of asking their physician to prescribe the largest dose pill available and then cutting or splitting to achieve the desired dosage at half the price. Not only have individuals been splitting pills and tablets, but some insurance companies and health organizations are offering incentives such as reduced insurance premiums to their members who agree to split pills. This practice has been controversial because some individuals feel coerced to do something they are unwilling or unable to do. As a result, a number of physicians and pharmacists have written articles cautioning about the possible drawbacks of splitting pills:
An article in the American Journal of Managed Care identified 11 drugs that can be carefully divided, resulting in substantial savings. They are: • Viagra (impotence) • Lipitor and Pravachol (high cholesterol) • Cardura (for hypertension and enlarged prostate) • Prinivil (high cholesterol and heart disease) • Zyprexa (bipolar disorder and schizophrenia) • Klonopim, Celexa, Paxil, Serzone and Zoloft (prescribed for anxiety and depression) Listed below are relevant articles with a summary and a link to the complete original.
"An easy remedy: Cut your drug bills in half by cutting pills in half." The Wall Street Journal
|