How to Cut Pills

Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: August 22, 2021 References

Splitting pills in half is a fairly common practice that is easy to do with a generic pill splitter. Sometimes doctors might prescribe you a pill that has to be cut in half to get the right dose, while other times splitting a pill with double your intended dose can be used to cut the cost of your medication in half. Although you can split pills without a pill splitter, it’s always best to use one to make sure you’re getting the proper dose of your medication.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Checking That Your Pills Are Safe to Split

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Check if your pills have a scored mark. A pill that has been approved by the FDA for splitting will have a scored mark down the center to indicate the best place to cut the pill. For further assurance, check the “How Supplied” section of the label insert on your medication bottle for written FDA approval. The printed label or patient package insert should also give you this information.^{[1]
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- FDA approval ensures that the two halves of the pill will supply you with a relatively equal amount of medication.
2
Avoid cutting pills that are delayed-release, long-lasting, or contain a mixture of active ingredients. If your pills have any of these features or have a coating on the outside to protect your stomach, they are typically not safe to split. Always avoid splitting chemotherapy drugs and blood thinners.^{[2]
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- If your pills crumble easily, do not attempt to cut them, as you risk altering the number of active ingredients in each dose. If you have a pill that crumbled that isn’t a crucial medication, mix the pieces with applesauce or jam and eat half of the contents.
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3
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if your pills are safe to split. Talk with your healthcare practitioner about the type of medication you’re using and what the best practice is for cutting your pills. Sometimes, doctors can prescribe a tablet with twice the dose that you need to cut your prescription costs in half.^{[3]
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4
Follow the prescribed dose carefully. If you get pills that are double the dose that you’ve been prescribed, be sure to split each one in half before you take it. It can be easy to forget how much to take when you’re working with half doses, so be sure to only take the amount that’s been prescribed to you.^{[4]
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- It can help to keep your pill splitter right next to your medication as a visual reminder to cut your pills before you use them.
- Consider putting a sticky note or label on your medication bottle to remind yourself to cut the pills in half.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Picking out the Right Pill Splitter

1
Choose a standard pill splitter if you’re looking for an affordable option. Most splitters will be made from plastic, and the inside will have a blade on top and two pieces of plastic that stick up to form a triangular shape where the pill goes. The typical model can be found at most drugstores and is cheap and easy to use. Try to look for a splitter that has rubber-coated plastic inside to hold the pill in place as you cut.^{[5]
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- Keep the pill cutter away from small children since they could accidentally cut themselves on the blade.
2
Pick a universal or multi-shape pill splitter for large or unusually shaped pills. Many of these splitters come with either a moveable circular compartment with different sized openings for pills or interchangeable parts with different sized holes. This is a good option if you need to cut different types of pills on a regular basis.^{[6]
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- Certain medical insurance providers will cover the cost of a pill splitter or crusher. Call your insurance agency or check your plan online to see if the cost of your pill splitter can be covered, especially if you need it for your regular medications.
3
Buy a multi-purpose pill splitter and crusher for versatile use. If some of your medication needs to be cut and other pills need to be crushed, consider buying a combination splitter that does both. These splitters usually have a lid with a blade on the top, and a separate area to grind up pills on the bottom.^{[7]
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- It's important to note that pill splitters have sharp blades inside, so you may not be able to take them in a carry-on when you travel. If you decide to take a trip, either pack your splitter in your luggage or cut your pills in advance. Store any cut pills back in your regular medicine bottle.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Cutting Your Pills

1
Place one pill inside the grooved edges of the pill splitter. In pill splitters where the two plastic pieces create a triangle that opens facing away from you, place the pill between the two pieces and then press the plastic forward towards the blade. In other splitters where the pieces open out towards you, simply place the pill between the two pieces so that it is touching each side.^{[8]
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- Try to line the pill up so that the center of the pill is in line with the center of the splitter. This will help ensure that the blade cuts the pill exactly in half.
- For multi-shape pill splitters, find the hole that best fits the shape of your pill, and place it inside the splitter.
- If you're using a pill splitter that is specifically meant to cut multiple pills at once, you can load in as many as you need and cut them all at once rather than cutting one at a time.
2
Press down firmly on the pill splitter until the lid is completely closed. Try to keep the splitter still as you push the lid down to make sure the pill doesn’t move around before you cut it. Make sure you close the lid completely so that the blade cuts through the entire pill.^{[9]
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- Most splitters will have a compartment to catch the two pill pieces after they’ve been cut. Jiggle the splitter a little before you open it to make sure the pills land in this compartment.
- Be careful to avoid the blade when you open up the splitter to collect your medication.
- If you want to split a large pill into fourths, simply line up the half pill that you just cut as best you can and repeat the same process.
3
Remove the half pill from the splitter and take according to your doctor’s instructions. Store the other half in your regular medicine bottle. Take the second half of the pill for your next dose rather than splitting a new one.^{[10]
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- Try to split the pill just before you’re ready to take it.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Will the pills lose potency if I don't consume every piece on the same day? What is the best way to store the pieces?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Some medications can lose potency after you split them, depending on the type of medication. You might be able to keep your pills in a plastic pill container after you split them so you can use them when you're ready. However, some pills may lose potency when they're exposed to oxygen. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about the pills you need to split to find out about your specific medication.

Warnings

There is always a risk of getting an improper dose when you split a pill.

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Wash your hands before handling your medication.

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Follow the doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions carefully to be sure you’re getting the right amount of medication.

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Always be careful when handling a pill splitter, and avoid touching the sharp blade.

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Clean your pill splitter with a cloth or paper towel if you plan on using it for multiple medications.

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Double check that your pill is safe to split, and always get a doctor’s approval before you split your medication.

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