I'd been taking 300 mg until recently, when my PM doctor upped my dosage (I take the drug for nerve pain after three surgeries on my lower back) Thanks!
Gabapentin - Can I split a 400 mg capsule?
Question posted by CupCaked on 13 Oct 2012
Last updated on 19 April 2021 by kevinb1953
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9 Answers
kevinb1953
19 April 2021
I agree with masso.
If you want a precise dose then use a compounding pharmacy. Your doctor would have to write you that type of prescription.
WildcatVet
19 April 2021
There is a BIG problem with trying to split capsules or unscored tablets . You have no idea how much active ingredient is in each "split". The powder or beads in capsules also contain many inert ingredients such as binders, fillers, colouring agents, etc.
When you split capsules or unscored tablets you could be getting the full dose or even none at all.
If you need to reduce your dose for some reason you should always inform your doctor and get some professional advice.
TigerLava
19 April 2021
I do this by buying empty capsules from Amazon and using a small kitchen scale to divide the original gabapentin capsule (powder) to get a very close division of the capsule. I am on 300mg
for RLS, but was waking up to groggy (like a sleeping pill hangover) so splitting helped to solve this issue. and still stops my RLS.
Katofjoelton
4 Nov 2017
I've been taking 400 mg and I open mine (with no effort) and put it in applesauce per my Drs. Instructions. I can't swallow large pills or capsules. 400mg's is a extremely large capsule.
MrsPichon
19 June 2017
I had surgery on my neck and I take Neurontin capsules. Im on a puree diet because it's hard to swallow. I tried to swallow the capsules whole one at a time but they get stuck in my throat, so the nurses here open them up and put them into custard or yogurt or applesauce. It really nasty.
barrrylincoln
3 April 2015
I have been splitting 300mg capsules of Gabapentin because it gives me a salty taste and bothers my sinuses as well as my stomach. To me it's a nasty drug. It's no trouble at all to divide them if you have some capsules even though it isn't real accurate. We got some capsules from a health food store a while ago to put Tumeric in. I'm glad I split them a few times because I found that even taking lower doses of Gabapentin it still bothers me. If I had the Doctor prescribe more I would have just had to throw twice as much away and I don't have prescription coverage. I hate to throw $50 in the garbage.
Inactive
3 April 2015
Well, let's say this, once more. DO NOT SPLIT YOUR CAPSULES.
You will never achieve what you are looking for.
Got that? Now call your doctor and ask him/her to write you a different
prescription - then you will be getting what you need/or don't need.
Good luck. Hope everything goes all right. God bless.
Trish
barrrylincoln
3 April 2015
Trish, are you a doctor by any chance? Where do you get your information? I was told by a RN it's fine to divide them.
Inactive
3 April 2015
The RN who told you it's okay to split them is WRONG. I have been a Red
Cross worker in a hospital. I also was on the National Ski Patrol and achieved
a Advanced First Aid certificate=have treated many accidents. Raised 4
children - nursing them as needed. Actually, I am a published author, but I
have taken many different medications for many years and I know what I know from the medical community. I am 73 and a pretty smart woman.
You cannot split a capsule and expect one half to contain all of the medication that the other half might have - if you want to split meds, then
have your doctor write a prescription for tablets.
Good luck. Happy Easter and blessings from God.
Trish
barrrylincoln
4 April 2015
Yes Trish, Who should I believe, some faceless person on the Internet who
says she has kids, is a self proclaimed genius and "published" author who claims to know more than an RN,, or an intelligent woman that we know well who has been an RN for years? You don't need to answer that question, it's obvious. Thanks for your OPINION! Got it?
cholleyman
18 April 2017
I give my dog Gabapentin tablet crushed into a powder. What would the difference be to use instead the powder from a capsule?
Thecede
29 May 2017
I've always heard, from docs, and read from drug companies that it's pretty much impossible to split a capsule reliably. That applies to some tablets as well. Getting 100mg capsules of Gabapentin seems like the best bet. And just feel lucky if you have a doc who actually believes you have a say in your medication.
Thecede
29 May 2017
I've always heard, from docs, and read from drug companies that it's pretty much impossible to split a capsule reliably. That applies to some tablets as well. Getting 100mg capsules of Gabapentin seems like the best bet. And just feel lucky if you have a doc who actually believes you have a say in your medication.
droccoS
13 Oct 2012
Hi,the capsules are not meant to be split although people do it.You should just ask for the tablets if you want to make "splits",although off the top of my head I don't believe they make 300mg tablets but they might.Those are what I take and have had higher doses in tablet form,wouldn't recommend opening the capsules,have to be precise with measurements and dilute in water or make suppositories... NOT RECOMMENDED!!!
kaismama
13 Oct 2012
How are you going to split a capsule? If you feel the dose is too much get your doc to change it.
CupCaked
13 Oct 2012
I was going to break open the capsule and divide the contents equally. Is this do-able? Will the contents be compromised as they dissolve or are they time-released in some way?
kaismama
13 Oct 2012
You'd pretty much have to put it back in a capsule. You won't be sure you have exactly the same dose in each one tho. Its more trouble then its worth. I'd just get the doc to write for what you really need. My doc writes for 100 mg capsules, and I can then increase whenever she wants, no pills wasted, or a mess trying to split them. Right now I take 4 a day, but if she wants to up me, I just take 5 a day, lol.
barrrylincoln
3 April 2015
Even if they make a 300mg tablet, with a pill splitter you always have a big half. Seems to me it wouldn't be any more accurate with pills seeing as one half of a pill could contain more of the drug than the other half. If you have empty capsules that are the same size from a health food store filled to the same level as the original capsule they would be pretty close. I can dump it in another capsule and not spill a drop. If they were time release, which they aren't, it would not be possible. Doctors are expensive and the cash price at Kroger Pharmacy is $100 for 90, 300mg Gabapentin. Of course they don't want you to divide it.
MacIntosh12
13 Oct 2012
Hi CupCaked, Please call your friendly pharmacist about this! Capsules are generally not split-able. If you open your gabapentin capsule you will find powder, this really is not easy to split and probably isnt supposed to be split.
Welcome to this site, if you are new!
Mac
Gradykim
18 May 2018
Okay. Thank you
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- Gabapentin uses and safety info
- Gabapentin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Gabapentin (detailed)
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