toprol xL 100mg is scored...can it be cut?

[newera]

As some of you in retail might know, the genric toprol xl has been on back order and my partner decided to give the 100mg toprol xl and ask the patient to cut it in half. I had some doubts. Note: it is a scored tablet.

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[Priapism321]

As some of you in retail might know, the genric toprol xl has been on back order and my partner decided to give the 100mg toprol xl and ask the patient to cut it in half. I had some doubts. Note: it is a scored tablet.

The answer is.........no.

Strike that, my go-to reference has perhaps failed me. One minute please.

 

[Transformer]

As some of you in retail might know, the genric toprol xl has been on back order and my partner decided to give the 100mg toprol xl and ask the patient to cut it in half. I had some doubts. Note: it is a scored tablet.

I worked last night and a patient brought in a script for toprol xl 50mg. The insurance only covers its generic form: Metoprolol Succinate ER 50mg.

We didn't have the full amount and I was only able to order a bottle of the generic form (50mg tablets) from McKesson order online.

I'm a tech and I'm wondering what a scored tablet? thanks

If you can only order the 50mg tablets, can you double up to give a dose of two 50mg tablets (=100mg)?

 

[Priapism321]

According to the package insert: "Toprol XL tablets are scored and can be divided; however, the whole or half tablet should be swallowed whole and not chewed or crushed."

My bad, went to a "do not crush" list as opposed to a "do not do anything to" list.

http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=5156

 

[Pharmavixen]

From the monograph:

TOPROL-XL tablets are scored and can be divided; however, the whole or half tablet should be swallowed whole and not chewed or crushed.

 

[BidingMyTime]

Ummmm, that is why a tablet is scored, so it can be broken into half.

 

[aboveliquidice]

Ummmm, that is why a tablet is scored, so it can be broken into half.

Ya know - they should do that with other meds...

This is one of those exceptions-to-the-rule most people (including myself) don't know. Thanks for the heads up

~above~

 

[EccentricPharmD]

Yeah its one of the exceptions for some reason. I have gotten plenty of scripts written for metoprolol er 50mg or 100mg to take 1/2 tab.

 

[genesis09]

You can divide it because it uses a unique extended release formulation. It uses spheres or something like that.