Can You Crush Or Split Lisinopril Tablets?

Answer

Thanks so much for reaching out to us! Yes, lisinopril tablets can safely be split in half or crushed. The tablets are not extended or modified-release in any way and crushing/splitting them will not alter their effectiveness.

However, it is important to point out that while some lisinopril tablets are scored (have an indentation line down the middle), some do not, so if splitting, be sure to use a pill splitter to make an even cut.

Always Check With A Health Care Professional Regarding Whether Or Not Your Medication Can Be Crushed Or Split

As a general rule of thumb, as long as the medication in question is not extended-release, delayed-release, or specifically noted not to be split/crushed, it’s usually safe to do so.

However, exceptions do exist. Some examples of exceptions are when a medication is specially coated (e.g., enteric coating) or if a medication is a known stomach/throat irritant. Additionally, some crushed drugs can be hazardous to handle (e.g., chemotherapy drugs).

As sometimes it may not be readily apparent whether or not a medication can be split or crushed, it is extremely important to continue to double-check each individual medication with a healthcare professional.

Splitting Or Crushing Lisinopril

As mentioned, lisinopril tablets do not have any sort of extended-release mechanism. The tablets also have no special coating and do not have any special properties that would preclude them from being safely cut or crushed.

However, and this is an important point, only some lisinopril tablets have a score mark on them. Below is an example of two different lisinopril tablets, one that has a score mark, and another that does not.

Now, even tablets without a score mark can be split or crushed, but I highly recommend the use of a dedicated tablet splitter to ensure an even cut.

If you were to use a regular knife, you might end up with an uneven split and some unusable powder.

If crushing, be sure to do so in a small vessel or dedicated tablet crusher to ensure you are able to capture all of the tablet powder.

Final Words

As a final thought, while it’s safe to split or crush lisinopril, be sure not to change your dose or medication regimen without talking to your doctor first.

If you have any more questions or concerns about crushing/splitting meds, let us know! We'd be happy to help.

You can always check out our 'Do Not Crush' list as well for easy reference. Thanks again for reaching out to us!