Pill Splitting

I'm sorry if this is not where this topic goes.

Kaylee is supposed to take 3/4 of a 25mg tablet of atenolol (aka 18.75mg). I've been through 4 pill cutters/splitters and the only thing I want to do is pull my hair out! Most of the time, cutting it in half is not the problem, but cutting that half in half is the biggest issue. I've tried a really sharp knife, but my hands shake too much for it to do any good. Does anyone have any suggestions? 

I have shaky hands also, I feel your pain. I have to cut Sara's methimazole but that's just in half. Pepcid I have to chop into fourths though. I've just had to resign myself to the fact she won't get perfect dosages. The vet said that was ok as long as it was the right amount over a period of a couple of days. Fair enough.

It's taken me ages to get to the point where I can cut the Pepcid without having it shoot all over the kitchen. I put my hand over it while cutting, and using that hand to gently put pressure on the knife at the same time. Always seems to work.

Not sure how big the atenolol is though.

I'd have to put it on a dime to really see, but I think that's about the same size as a methimazole. Are these things scored at all? I would honestly try cutting them yourself. Try it the way I mentioned, instead of the pressure on the knife coming from the hand that is holding it, have your other hand putting the pressure on it. It helped tremendously to do that.

Also, it took many many times of me doing that to get it right. Granted, I'm only cutting mine in half, but pretty sure I could cut them one more time that way if needed.

fromthevalley said:

 
I'm sorry if this is not where this topic goes.

Kaylee is supposed to take 3/4 of a 25mg tablet of atenolol (aka 18.75mg). I've been through 4 pill cutters/splitters and the only thing I want to do is pull my hair out! Most of the time, cutting it in half is not the problem, but cutting that half in half is the biggest issue. I've tried a really sharp knife, but my hands shake too much for it to do any good. Does anyone have any suggestions? 

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Could you ask the vet to split them for you?  That's what my vet did when Ruby had to take a 1/4 of a famotidine tablet a couple of years ago.

The shelter head cuts tiny pills like that with a small pair of sharp scissors. I prefer a pill cutter, but her way works.

I have found the Pepcid to be horrible to cut also. I use a pill cutter. I found a cheap pair of old fashioned tweezers which I use when I have to cut things small. I also put the pieces in an empty gel cap. I find the tweezers really help. 

Can you get it compounded into a liquid? or to the correct dose?

I have to cut some of my meds into quarters occasionally, and some of them are as small as the pill you showed.

It looks to me like part of your problem is the thickness of the pill.  If it's scored, you're in luck.  Put it in the pill cutter with the score side up (so you can see it), but at right angles to the blade, so that your first cut is across the score.  After that your second cut should be a good deal easier as you can place the knife in the score itself.

If it's not scored, you won't be able to get a proper quarter pill.  For one thing, the knife will produce some crushing, and portions of the pill may split off.  After cutting it, look and see which piece looks bigger.  Add all the little chips and crumbs to the smaller piece when you put them in the gel cap (and, yes, a gel cap is an excellent idea -- it means that you can give the entire 3/4 of a pill down the cat in one go rather than two -- less stressful for both of you).  You can buy empty capsules at places like Vitamin Cottage sometimes.  If they're not available there try a compounding pharmacy.  Frequently associated with hospitals.

And use a very sharp knife, to avoid crushing as much as possible, and to make it easier to press on the knife without hurting your hands.

Margret

Margret said:

And use a very sharp knife, to avoid crushing as much as possible, and to make it easier to press on the knife without hurting your hands.

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Very valid point! There is only one knife in the house I use for cutting because it's the only one that works well. Especially with the Pepcid.

Thank you guys for all the ideas!