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How to Split Proscar

Proscar is the trade name for a drug called finasteride. It is used as a treatment for an enlarged prostate gland and also for male pattern hair loss. Propecia is another drug that works similarly to Proscar. Proscar comes in various doses and sometimes patients may elect to split a stronger dose in half due to side effects or cost. Pill cutting is becoming a more frequent practice, though the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended against cutting most pills. Splitting Proscar is a simple process and can be done in a few steps.

Things You'll Need

  • Pill-cutting device
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Instructions

  1. Instructions

    • 1

      Set up the pill cutter. Read the owner's manual so that you have a basic idea as to how the device functions. It is currently one of the most accurate ways to cut a pill in half even though there is not an absolute split between both sides. The slightly uneven split occurs because the actual drug is not evenly concentrated throughout the pill. Additionally, when you use the pill cutter you may convert a small amount of the pill into unusable powder.

    • 2

      Open the pill cutter. Place the pill inside the bowl and slowly push it against both sides of the wall so it is secure. By doing this you will be able to ensure a more precise split. Place the pill cutter on a flat, hard surface so that there is no interference when splitting the tablet.

    • 3

      Hold the pill cutting device securely. Then slowly and firmly close the box so that the blade cuts the pill in half. Once you are done you may remove both halves of the pills for use. Keep in mind that most medications are not approved by the FDA for splitting due to the potentially uneven concentration of medicine in either half.

    • 4

      Keep both halves in a plastic bag and place them in a cool and dark area. This will prevent the exposed sides of the tablets from slowly disintegrating into an unusable powdery substance. Clean the pill-cutting box so that you can avoid contaminating any future tablets that you place in the bowl.

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