Cutting tablets to cut medication costs

ATLANTA - Splitting your prescription medications can save money. But it's not the right choice for every pill. 

I'm all for cutting costs and doctors today know that's important to you, too. But, you have to use caution because you don't want saving money to cost you your health.

First, know that there are different opinions on whether this is good practice. Insurance companies are all for it. The FDA doesn't recommend it. There's a fear that you might get confused about the correct dosage, but it recognizes that it happens. And there are many doctors who are on board with it. If you plan to do it, talk with your doctor first.

But let's get back to why folks do it. Let's look at the math. Consumer Reports looked at a number of prescriptions.

Let's highlight this one -- Lipitor. It says the average cost is $124 a month. If you split that in half you can save more than $62 a month. Often different doses are priced nearly the same. Cut them in half and cut your costs in half.

But splitting pills with a knife is not recommended because it doesn't always assure a nice even split. Buying a pill splitter is what you'll want to do. Your insurance may even pay for that. It can cost as little as three bucks.

Now let's get guidance from Dr. Nicolas Beaulieu of Highland Urgent Care and Family Practice on which pills are OK to split because some are not.

"If a pill is scored it generally means it can be cut. Again, ask your doctor or pharmacist. The pills you want to avoid cutting will say XL, XR, SR. That means extended release, sustained release or enteric coated. Those are pills that will be designed to release slowly or in the case of the enteric coated pills to not release its medication until it is through the stomach itself and into the intestines," he said.

Dr. Beaulieu says if you cut a pill that is designed to be time-released, you can get the medication all at once and overdose. Again, do not cut - pills that say XL, XR or SR. Examples would be your antihistamine or pain medication.