There are people who usually cut the pill in half, either to take half of the medication or to facilitate ingestion. However, this type of practice is contraindicated. In addition to harming the patient’s treatment, this can put health at risk.
Pill cutting study
In a study released by the Catholic University of Pelotas, in Rio Grande do Sul, it was discovered that, in addition to the health risks, this can even cause intoxication. O remedy analyzed was the most prescribed diuretic for hypertension in the country. During the tests, 750 pills were broken.
In none of them, the two halves had the same amount of the active principle, which is the substance that acts in the body. The difference, according to the research, reached 15%, that is, one of the pieces has less effect than the other.
What does Anvisa say?
According to a resolution of the National Health Surveillance Agency(Anvisa), of 2003, coated tablets, controlled release drugs, capsules, dragees and pills cannot be broken. In fact, this is information that should be included in the medication leaflet.
Why does splitting the pill in half affect the treatment?
According to the pharmacist Ademir Valério, president of the National Association of Master Pharmacists, the pills cut in half or in 4 parts can harm the treatment because the parts after cutting are not identical, which leads to differences in the content of drugs in each of the parts. There is also the possibility of losses when the pill “crumbles”, not guaranteeing the doses of each intake.
Pills that may or may not be divided
Still according to the pharmacist Ademir Valério, the grooved pills, those that have a mark in the middle, could theoretically be divided if the users had a specific cutting instrument for this purpose. However, even so, Anvisa does not recommend the break.
Pills without grooves must never be broken. Pills which are technically prepared by the industry to release the actives gradually (controlled release) also cannot be broken due to the fact that this modifies the availability of the active chemical substance. The dragees, which have a rigid layer to protect the content, cannot be broken, since this action compromises the integrity of the medicine in the composition.
Source: Maxima
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