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Give and get support around quitting

Samanthaeve
Member

Cut chantix pill in half?

Restarting chantix/ cutting pill in half?

has anyone ever done this successfully?

insurance  won’t cover another starter pack..

i stopped taking chantix into the second month because the nausea was crippling!

anyway- I was able to tolerate the half dose they start you off with without any problems.

however- I can’t find anything conclusive online from folks that have cut the pill in half with no ill effects .

 Naturally I consulted the Chantix website and they tell you to NOT cut the pill in half .

i also did a google search and came up with someone asking the same question about halving the 1 mg pill...

advice from other forum members was to go ahead and score the pill.

i don’t trust it...

but I DO trust the experienced folks here.

any advice or do I have to spring for the 500 bucks monthly price?

mall advice/ experiences appreciated.

thanks!

Tags (1)
22 Replies
jonimarie
Member

I cut the 1mg pill in half. You can buy a pill cutter at Walgreens or CVS. I took Chantix years ago and stopped as it nauseated me. This last go around it was my doctor whom told me to cut it in half and I only took it one time a day in the morning. It was just enough to take the edge off and I did not get any nausea. I took it for 21 days. However I also firmly believe I had a totally different approach this time as I joined ex and read and read and read all about the addiction and mental processing after 21 days realized I just had to get though it.

Samanthaeve
Member

so.. I put a call into Pfizer...

after much time on HOLD and being transferred to a dozen different departments...

 I spoke to a "medical professional" and STILL didnt get a conclusive answer as to why that 1 mg pill cantr be cut in half.

 I envisioned speaking to a deer in the headlights on the other end of the phone when I directly asked "why cant the pill be cut in half?'

 In any case, chances are I will start halving the pill and keep you folks posted.However, I am shocked and disappointed that I couldnt get a direct answer from PFIZER as to why they put the fear of God into you about halving the pill.

 I am certain that I am not the only person on the planet that had posed the question.- nor am I the only person that has responded better to half dose on the longer term.

Sigh....

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KellanC74
Member

Just cut it in half. If needed take it four times a day. 

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Barbscloud
Member

I've heard others on this site did split them.  I also researched many sites when you posed the question and everything I read indicated that this isn't one of the pills that should be split.  There can be some good reasons-for example if it's time released.  They say you shouldn't split them in advance-exposing them to oxygen can break down the medication.  Let us know how it works out!

Barb

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nevergiveup
Member

Right or wrong, I have split them due to the overwhelming nausea after double-checking with a local pharmacist who said it would be okay. Good luck!

Martha

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marciem
Member

If as that pharmacist you spoke to said that the medicine isn't distributed evenly in the pill which is why don't cut it,   it seems to me if you take it twice a day (the usual after initial start up), you will be getting all the medicine in the pill over the course of a day and lesser nausea-inducing strength so I would do it myself ... though I don't recommend it because I'm not a doctor or a pharmacist but I really want to see you quit as painlessly as possible   .

My other general feeling is that while cutting it may lessen the effectiveness of the pill, or make you THINK it does, cutting it isn't going to turn it suddenly into a poison that will kill you.   So a trial on your own wouldn't probably damage your insides irreparably.  Again, JMO I'm not a doc or pharmacist.   (I cut patches, not the kind with a blob of medicine in the middle but one that was distributed all over.  Didn't kill me.  Saved me $.  Helped with cravings.)

Those are great money saving tips that Barbscloud‌ pointed you to!!

and p.s. I would feel exactly the opposite if the question were about doubling up.... NEVER take more than recommended dosage.  THAT can kill you or mess you up, on any medication.

Samanthaeve
Member

Thanks for all the responses and feedback!!

I have some time off from work after the weekend so I will start he pull scoring experiment then just in case I get a rash or grow a third knee or something.

I gotta break this nicotine thing...

I was just beginning to feel good and proud about going from a pack a day to 3-5 cigs a day and then All hell broke loose.

Blessings to all of you that have responded to my inquiry ...

Sent from my iPhone

I have the same question.  Have you tried cutting it in half? I ask because it tears up my stomach. 

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YoungAtHeart
Member

If a pill does not have a score indent, it means that the active ingredient(s) are not mixed consistently throughout the entire tablet!

A tablet without a score line should not be cut in half!

You are SAVING money tomorrow and into your future by no longer buying smokes.  If you think it works for you, put the cost on a credit card and pay if off with the money you won't be spending on cigarettes, maybe?!

KellanC74
Member

Eat before or when taking it. Less chances of it bothering your stomach.  

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