Apparently cutting a 500 mg in half, skinning it, and grinding it up is NOT a good thing to do. I have a former student who makes pharmaceuticals.
So, I'm brainstorming what else to do for my son who won't take it in suspension, and although I don't have extra cash, I'm thinking: What about a compounding pharmacy?
I use a pharmacy regularly for my dog with Addison's Disease. I asked them, and they gave me a great price. I can order together and save on shipping.
Ya Hoo!
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
500 mg of what drug?
Posted by peacemama (Member # 17666) on :
Zith. My pharmacist suggested the splitting in half, because my insurance will only cover zith or azith for 6 days at a time at 250 mg.
So, we have been cutting it for MONTHS.
I guess it isn't a smart idea. Compounding is the way to go, even though it is expensive.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Pharmacist told me many times it's fine to split Zithromax with a pill cutter. Hmmmm... Same with Biaxin/Ceftin and others.
Posted by losferwrds (Member # 19741) on :
I agree with seek help if its a tablet pill cutters are the way to go, depending on the pill you can cut them in half, quarters, even eighths.
All a compounding pharmacy is gonna do is grind the pill, weigh it and put it in capsule. It really no different than simply cutting the pill in half IMO.
Posted by jkmom (Member # 14004) on :
My compounding pharmacy gets the active ingredient in powder form and puts it in a capsule. They don't just grind up the pill.
When I was getting zithromax, it was actually cheaper to get it compounded than to get the generic. The generic at Walgreen's (retail price) was around $550 and the compounded prescription was $95. I had to pay the full $95, but then got reimbursed all but $35. My copay would have been less than $35, but it was worth it to me to have it compounded to be sure it was gluten free.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
There are certain pills that should not be cut. But most of those would be sleeping aids and not antibiotics.
I have cut many an antibiotic.
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
Why don't you just get the 250 mg Zithromax tablets? lol
Posted by peacemama (Member # 17666) on :
My insurance won't cover the 250, and I only need 200 mg. My son won't take it in suspension, so I talked with this chemist friend of mine, and then another who both said that you run the risk of getting different doses. The active ingredient (500 mg of zith) is not evenly spread through out. So, sometimes you might be getting 300, other times, 200.
I'm thinking the $50 the compounding pharmacy is charging me is better than all this guessing.