See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

Splitting lipitor tablets should be done with caution and only when recommended by a healthcare professional. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against splitting tablets unless it is indicated on the label or by the prescribing information [1]. Lipitor, a medication used to treat high cholesterol, is manufactured by Pfizer and typically comes in 10mg, 20mg, 40mg, and 80mg strengths [2].

To safely split lipitor tablets, follow these steps:

1. Consult your doctor or pharmacist: Before splitting any medication, consult your healthcare provider. They can provide guidance on whether it is safe and appropriate for your specific situation [1].
2. Use a tablet splitter: If your healthcare provider approves splitting lipitor tablets, use a tablet splitter designed for this purpose. Tablet splitters can be purchased over-the-counter at most pharmacies [1].
3. Split the tablet evenly: Place the tablet in the splitter and carefully push down on the lever to split the tablet. Ensure that the tablet is split evenly into two equal halves [1].
4. Take the correct dose: Take one half of the split tablet as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet unless specifically directed by your doctor [1].
5. Dispose of the other half: Dispose of the other half of the split tablet properly. The FDA recommends mixing unused medications with an unappealing substance, such as dirt, and placing them in a sealed plastic bag in the trash [1].

It is important to note that not all medications can be safely split. Lipitor tablets have been studied for bioequivalence when split, and it is generally considered safe to split them [3]. However, other medications may have different absorption rates or release patterns when split, making them unsafe for splitting [1].

Sources:

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Spliting Pills. Retrieved from <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-consumers-patients-fda/splitting-pills>
2. DrugPatentWatch. (n.d.). Lipitor. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/lipitor>
3. Kamin, D. N., & Guglielmo, B. J. (2003). Tablet splitting: a review of the literature. American journal of health-system pharmacy, 60(18), 1875-1882. Retrieved from <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14571333>