Can You Cut Januvia Tablets In Half?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not Januvia tablets can be cut or split in half.
I am taking Januvia. I was taking 100mg but now my doctor wants to decrease my dose and start me on the 50mg. I have an entire bottle of the 100mg tablets I recently picked up. Can I just cut those in half to get a 50mg dose?
Oct 27, 2022- Januvia tablets should be swallowed whole and must not be split, crushed, or chewed because the film coating that protects the tablet would be destroyed.
- If you need a lower dose of Januvia, ask your doctor for a new prescription for the appropriate strength rather than cutting your tablets in half.
Answer
Januvia (sitagliptin) tablets are not recommended to be cut, split or crushed, according to the manufacturer.
Per the prescribing information for Januvia:
The recommended dose of JANUVIA is 100 mg once daily. JANUVIA can be taken with or without food. JANUVIA should be swallowed whole. The tablets must not be split, crushed, or chewed before swallowing.
Why Can't Januvia Be Split In Half?
While the manufacturer does not give a specific reason why Januvia should not be cut in half, it is important to note that the tablets are film-coated.
Typically, a film-coating on tablets makes them easier to swallow and can protect them temporarily from the contents of the stomach, improving drug stability. If a film-coated tablet is split or crushed, this coating is destroyed.
There, unfortunately, is no information or data available to know if the drug will be negatively affected if it is crushed, cut or split, so, for this reason, it is important to not do so. The tablets should be swallowed whole.
It is also important to note that since Januvia tablets are not intended to be cut or split, they do not have a score mark, as you can see in the image below:
Alternatives To Splitting Januvia Tablets
Januvia is available in three different strengths:
- Januvia 25mg
- Januvia 50mg
- Januvia 100mg
If your doctor has switched you from the 100mg dose to the 50mg dose, be sure to get another prescription so the pharmacy can dispense the correct medication for you.
It would be prudent to hold on to the Januvia 100mg tablets until they expire, just in case you need to increase your dose in the future.
Final Words
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References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Sitagliptin
- The active medication ingredient in Januvia used to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Film-coated
- A thin protective layer applied to the outside of a tablet that makes it easier to swallow and protects the medication in the stomach.
- Prescribing information
- The official manufacturer's instructions for doctors and patients about how to safely use a medication.
- Score mark
- A groove or line imprinted on a tablet that indicates where it can be safely split or divided.
- Drug stability
- How well a medication maintains its strength and effectiveness over time.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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