Can You Cut Ultracet (Acetaminophen; Tramadol) Tablets In Half?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses if Ultracet tablets can be cut in half.
Can my tramadol-APAP 37.5-325 MG tablets be cut in half so that I can take a half dose?
Mar 24, 2023- Ultracet tablets can be safely cut in half since they are not extended-release medications. Because these tablets are not scored, you should use a pill splitter rather than a knife or your fingers to ensure accurate halves. Only split tablets on a per-dose basis and do not cut them in advance for storage, as they may degrade more quickly.
Quick Answer
Yes, Ultracet tablets (acetaminophen; tramadol) can be cut in half. Doing so will not affect how the medication works. However, the tablets are not scored so you should be sure to use a pill splitter to accurately cut them.
Detailed Answer
Thanks for contacting us! I'm happy to answer this for you.
As mentioned, Ultracet tablets, which contain two drugs, acetaminophen and tramadol, can safely be split in half.
They are not extended-release and have no special properties that would preclude them from being cut safely.
However, it is important to point out that Ultracet tablets (and generics) are not scored, which means they do not have a groove/line down the middle to make them easier to break in half.
Below is an image of two different generic Ultracet tablets (specifically, these are tablets from two different manufacturers of tramadol-APAP 37.5-325 mg) showing that they are not scored:
Since Ultracet tablets are not scored, I highly recommend using a pill splitter to cut them.
Attempting to split an unscored tablet with something like a knife or just your fingers could increase the risk that you end up with uneven halves or even crumble the tablet entirely, leading to an inaccurate dosage.
Lastly, it is important to note that you should only split tablets on a per-dose basis. Don't cut them all in half and store for later use. Doing so could make them susceptible to degrade more quickly versus intact tablets.
Final Words
You mentioned in your question that you wanted to cut down your dose so I just want to emphasize that you should make sure to speak with your doctor first before making any dosage changes.
Thanks again for reaching out to us! Contact us again anytime!
References & sources
- Ultracet Prescribing Information — AccessFDA
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Ultracet tablets
- A prescription medication that combines two drugs (acetaminophen and tramadol) in one tablet.
- Acetaminophen
- A common pain reliever and fever reducer, also known as Tylenol.
- Tramadol
- A prescription pain medication used to treat moderate pain.
- Extended-release
- A medication formulation designed to release the drug slowly over many hours rather than all at once.
- Scored
- Having a groove or line pressed into a tablet to make it easier to break in half.
- Pill splitter
- A small device designed to safely and evenly cut tablets in half.
- Dosage
- The specific amount of a medication that a person takes.
- Degrade
- To break down or lose 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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