How to Separate Lortab

Lortab is an acetaminophen narcotic prescribed for severe pain management. You should begin noticing diminishing pain within 15 minutes of taking the drug but maximum pain relief won't occur until one or two hours after consumption depending on the person and condition. To avoid overmedicating some doctors will recommend you divide each tablet, which also lowers the total cost per pill. If you find yourself without a pill cutting device, separating your Lortab pill isn't difficult but does require certain key steps to avoid damaging the dosage.

Things You'll Need

• Flat cookie sheet
• Paper towel
• Long knife with thin, sharp blade (not serrated)

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Instructions

• 1

  Lay the paper towel flat on the cookie tray. This will prevent your Lortab from mixing with any remaining cooking residue on the tray even after cleaning.

• 2

  Place your Lortab tablet in the center of the tray and notice the grooved line in the middle of the tablet. Set the bottom side of your knife blade, the sharper part, in the middle of the groove with the tip of the knife pointing away from you.

• 3

  Cup one hand over the knife blade and Lortab so that your hand is over the middle, not the sharp tip of the blade; place your other hand on the knife handle. Your cupped hand should be on top with the flat edge of the knife blade directly beneath your hand and Lortab directly beneath the sharp side of the blade. Cupping your hand will prevent the pill from flying outward after separation.

• 4

  Press the knife handle down while keeping your other hand cupped over the pill to prevent the separate sides from flying. The knife will hit the pan beneath the pill after you successfully separate your Lortab into two pieces.