Can I occasionally skip a dose or cut it in half to make my medication supply last longer?
You might feel tempted to split your medicine or skip a dose to make it last longer. This can be risky for your health.
Why this is NOT a good idea for your health
This can have bad side effects and here is why:
- Your medicine may not work as well and might not treat your condition.
- Your body could become resistant to the medicine, and you might need a different treatment.
- You could symptoms could get worse.
- Your treatment might not be complete, and your condition could get worse or come back.
- You could have withdrawal symptoms.
Is cutting my medication better than skipping it?
No, cutting your medication in half is not better than skipping it. This is never recommended.
Some medications should not be split in half. If a medication is meant to be taken whole and is cut in half, it can:
- Keep you from getting the full benefit of the medication.
- Stop the medication from working.
- Prevent the medication from being released or absorbed into the body as it should.
- Give you the wrong amount of medication that was prescribed.
Some medications have a special coating that lets it release into your body more slowly throughout the day.
Here are a couple of other reasons not to split your medication:
- Uneven cutting can lead to the wrong dose.
- It can change how it works with other medications you take.
Skipping a dose can make medication less effective
Your medicine will not work as well if you skip a dose.
Doctors usually tell you when and how much medication to take so that your body gets the right amount of it.
Skipping a dose can stop you from getting the right amount of medicine, making it less effective.
This can make your symptoms worse.
What if my medication is too expensive?
Talk to your pharmacist if you can’t afford your medication. They can help you find a way to save money while keeping you healthy.
Sometimes they can find cheaper medication.
Never skip a dose or cut your medication in half without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Taking your medication as prescribed is important to make sure it works the way it should.
If you are an ExactCare patient and have questions about your medication, give us a call at 1-877-355-7225. Our pharmacists are here to help!
