Can You Cut Or Split Abilify Tablets?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not Abilify (aripiprazole) tablets can be cut or split.
Can Aripiprazole (Abilify) by Aurobindo be cut in half? It's a 10 mg tablet.
Oct 24, 2022- Abilify 10mg regular tablets can be safely cut in half, but the orally disintegrating tablets should not be cut.
- Use a pill splitter or sharp blade to ensure even portions since these tablets are small and have no score line.
- Do not cut or reduce your Abilify dose on your own without speaking to your physician first.
Answer
Abilify (aripiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic usually taken once a day to help treat a number of conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, agitation, schizophrenia, or other conditions. It is perfectly safe to cut your Abilify 10mg tablet in half.
As a general rule of thumb, as long as the tablet doesn't say extended release, delayed release, or specifically not to cut them, it's usually safe to cut these medications in half. However, exceptions do exist, so please continue to double-check for each individual medication.
One of these exceptions is the less commonly used aripiprazole ODT (orally disintegrating tablet). The regular tablets can be cut, but the ODT prescribing information specifically says not to cut these tablets.
Be Sure To Use A Pill Splitter
Most aripiprazole tablets tend to be small, so I would recommend using a very thin and sharp blade to cut through them such as a tablet splitter or a new razor blade. If you were to use a regular knife from your kitchen, you might end up with two uneven portions and some unusable powder.
Below is an image of the aripiprazole 10mg tablet manufactured by Aurobindo (the one you mentioned in your question). You can't quite tell from this picture, but the tablet is quite small and it has no score, so again, be sure to use a pill splitter or sharp blade.
Lastly, it's probably not a good idea for you to change your aripiprazole dose on your own. If your physician changed you from 10mg to 5mg and you wanted to use the 10mg tablets so they don't go to waste, then absolutely, cut them.
If you are planning on lowering your dose on your own, please don't. Please speak with your physician before you make any changes to your medications.
Final Words
I hope this helps! Feel free to write us again in the future.
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Atypical antipsychotic
- A class of medication used to treat psychotic disorders and certain mood conditions by affecting brain chemicals differently than older antipsychotics.
- Major depressive disorder
- A mental health condition characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and other symptoms that significantly impact daily functioning.
- Bipolar disorder
- A mental health condition marked by alternating periods of extremely elevated mood and severe depression.
- Schizophrenia
- A serious mental health condition that can cause hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking and behavior.
- Extended release
- A medication formulation designed to slowly release the drug over an extended period rather than all at once.
- Delayed release
- A medication formulation designed to release the drug at a specific location in the digestive system rather than immediately.
- Orally disintegrating tablet
- A tablet that dissolves quickly in the mouth without needing to be swallowed with water.
- Pill splitter
- A small handheld device designed to cut tablets in half evenly and safely.
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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