Tadalafil (generic Cialis) in film-coated tablet - can it be split in half without degradation of drug strength/effectiveness?
Tadalafil (generic Cialis) in film-coated tablet - can it be split without degradation?
Question posted by mikerober4 on 4 Oct 2023
Last updated on 1 January 2024 by frantom
Added 5 Oct 2023:
Masso, thank you for your answer, but it is too general and is already available by simple search on website. I am looking for the answer which is specific to the drug in question.
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3 Answers
frantom
1 Jan 2024
Yes you can split it, if a low does you can chew the half which makes it faster acting.
mikerober4
5 Oct 2023
Masso, thank you for your answer, but it is too general and is already available by simple search on website. I am looking for the answer which is specific to the drug in question.
masso
5 Oct 2023
"Splitting or crushing tadalafil tablets may result in a patient receiving more or less than the prescribed dose. Data are not available to support any alternative dosing options beyond specific dosing/administration according to the approved tadalafil label."
Lilly Medical
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"Do not split, break, chew, or crush it. "
Mayo Clinic
"There are two main reasons why Cialis (and associated generic) tablets are not recommended to be cut or split:
Brand name Cialis tablets have a non-symmetrical shape.
Generic tadalafil tablets, many of which are symmetrical, are film-coated (brand Cialis is film-coated too). Splitting these tablets will destroy the film-coating.
Aside from the two reasons above, other reasons exist for the recommendation not to split the tablets. They include:
Split Cialis tablets have not been tested for safety or efficacy.
Neither the brand nor the generic tablets are scored."
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mikerober4
5 Oct 2023
Thank you very much! I think the right answer is in the text - Eli Lilly has not tested split or crushed drug for efficacy, which is why it cannot say. My general thought is that product does not degrade when split even if it is film-coated. I have split non-coated generic with great success, but was curious if same applies to film-coated.
masso
5 Oct 2023
You are welcome, glad I could clarify your doubts!
masso
5 Oct 2023
"Which pills should NOT be cut in half or split?
Examples of medications that should usually not be split in half include:
film-coated or enteric-coated tablets, controlled-release (CR), extended-release (ER, XR or XL), sustained-release (SR), or timed-release medications
orally-disintegrating tablets
oddly shaped pills or pills that are too small to split evenly
capsules (note: certain medications in capsules can be opened and sprinkled on food for easier swallowing, but ALWAYS ask your pharmacist if you can do this)
chemotherapy (cancer) drugs
prepackaged pills
some combination drugs (one pill that contains two or more medicines). Ask your pharmacist if it’s OK to split any combination tablet.
oral contraceptive (birth control) pills
any other medicine where getting the exact dose is critical (drugs with a narrow therapeutic index)"
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cialis, tadalafil, generic, tablet, drug
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