Question regarding extended release tablets.

[OnThePharm]

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This question was asked to me earlier... On the Alprazolam 2mg yellow USP, if the tablet was broken perfectly in half would any of it still be time-released? I understand the exposed medicine will be released immediately but what about the remaining pill under the coating?

 

[WVUPharm2007]

It depends on how the tablet is manufactured. If it's the "peeling an onion" type of release...no, it won't work how you'd intend. If its the "individual beads in random filler" type of release...maybe.

Rule of thumb...if its scored, it's probably ok...not scored, probably not ok. Consult the manufacturer's documentation or help desk for the correct answer.

 

[jpharm445]

The formulation I looked at uses HPMC to control the release of alprazolam, which might be okay to cut, but don't count on my guess. I found this nice explanation:

"HPMC confers ER properties by rapidly forming a viscous layer (commonly termed the ‘gel layer') of hydrated polymer on the matrix surface on contact with aqueous liquids. This acts as a physical and diffusion barrier to the rate of water ingress and the diffusional/erosional release of drug."

Cutting the tablet will not destroy the polymer itself, and the halved tablet could therefore behave the same way as a full tablet. However, the cut end of the tablet might respond differently than the surface because of the varying compressive forces experienced (internal vs. external) during manufacturing. That could lead to a quicker release path through the cut end somehow.

In short, I don't know. Just throwing some ideas out there. Go with what WVU said.

Also, I can't name an extended release tablet that can be split. All I've ever read stated that ER tablets should not be split, period. There must be exceptions, though, with so many different release mechanisms and formulations.

 

[owlegrad]

Also, I can't name an extended release tablet that can be split. All I've ever read stated that ER tablets should not be split, period. There must be exceptions, though, with so many different release mechanisms and formulations.

Some specifically are allowed to be cut, they are manufactured in such a way that allows them to be cut and still be ER. Toprol XL 25mg comes to mind. There are others as well. I use CP or the monograph when I want to check.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Some specifically are allowed to be cut, they are manufactured in such a way that allows them to be cut and still be ER. Toprol XL 25mg comes to mind. There are others as well. I use CP or the monograph when I want to check.

You people are doing it wrong. 😡

 

[owlegrad]

You people are doing it wrong. 😡

Please inform us?

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Please inform us?

Can't you just look it up?!? 😕

 

[vaughnpereira]

I'd imagine the covered portion would still be somewhat XR.

 

[owlegrad]

Can't you just look it up?!? 😕

You people...

 

[All4MyDaughter]

You people...

You xsif@#!$@&!%!$er!

 

[OnThePharm]

Thanks everyone. The tablet was broken in the bottle. So, the scouring is there to seclude the different forms of release?

 

[owlegrad]

Thanks everyone. The tablet was broken in the bottle. So, the scouring is there to seclude the different forms of release?

Your welcome.

No. Don't worry, you have years to learn about dosage forms.

Simplisticly, there is one kind of extended release that is a coating. If it is coated it cannot be cut. This is the more common form. There are more complicated systems that do allow for cutting because they have fancy extended release systems (not a simple coating). VWU explained it quite well.

 

[OnThePharm]

Well I know of the different XR Alprazolam, as far as the coated ones go, I just wasnt positive how the scoured, bar tabs were affected when broken up...

But, yes, I still have many years to learn. 🙂

Also, what does the USP stand for?

 

[farmadiazepine]

From CP:

Extended-release tablets: Xanax XR tablets should not be chewed, broken or crushed; they should be swallowed whole with a drink of water.

 

[owlegrad]

Well I know of the different XR Alprazolam, as far as the coated ones go, I just wasnt positive how the scoured, bar tabs were affected when broken up...

But, yes, I still have many years to learn. 🙂

Also, what does the USP stand for?

Inquiring minds want to know!

United States Pharmacopeia

In this case it just means that it is manufactured to their standards.

 

[vaughnpereira]

From CP:

Extended-release tablets: Xanax XR tablets should not be chewed, broken or crushed; they should be swallowed whole with a drink of water.

I believe you are speaking of the different form of XR tabs...

 

[Ackj]

I believe you are speaking of the different form of XR tabs...

SR vs XR vs CR vs DR vs LA, etc

Most things say "do not crush or chew" if they're some kind of extended release, even if they are scored.

 

[vaughnpereira]

SR vs XR vs CR vs DR vs LA, etc

Most things say "do not crush or chew" if they're some kind of extended release, even if they are scored.

Correct, but I believe he was speaking of the fully coated tablets with the hard(er) coating such as the purple footballs (1mg) or green triangles 3(mg). Those are, obviously, strictly extended release format. I fully understand the "purpose" of XR pills being produced to have extended release properties but that does not necessarily that certain pills mean can't be used in both formats, and in this case, the yellow 2mg scoured bars. Or, just because they may be "intended" to be extended release doesn't mean they can't be used both ways...

 

[kvl1027]

Well I know of the different XR Alprazolam, as far as the coated ones go, I just wasnt positive how the scoured, bar tabs were affected when broken up...

But, yes, I still have many years to learn. 🙂

Also, what does the USP stand for?

Oh..........Blaspheme!!!!!!!!!!!!