Hi everyone, I have a situation with my Entecavir prescription. My pharmacy mistakenly gave me 1mg instead of the 0.5mg I usually take. I returned it, but they currently don’t have the 0.5mg in stock, and I’ve only got 10 pills left. I typically restock 30 days in advance, but the pharmacy has been delayed for 20 days now. I’m concerned about running out of medication. Has anyone faced a similar issue? Any advice on how to handle this or alternative options for obtaining my medication in a timely manner would be greatly appreciated!
Hi @Dosara,
Sorry to hear about your situation. I don’t know your location, but can you ask the pharmacist if you could split the 1 mg? That will give you 20 pieces each 0.5 mg. Also, ask if they can get you the medicine transferred from another store? It will depend on when you are, at least some of us can request this in the US. I hope this provides some ideas to ask your pharmacist. Best, and keep us posted. Bansah1
Hi @Dosara,
I just did a quick web search, and it says you can cut your pill in half to get your recommended dose and extend the duration for which you have your medication.
I recommend cross-checking this with your pharmacist as it was just a Google search, and sometimes that info can be faulty.
John.
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I’ve also read that you can take the medication every other day with the same efficacy. I hope that helps to did you over until they can refill the prescription.
Would be great to get some input from our @PharmacyExperts as well.
Cheers,
Thomas
Dear @Dosara,
I’m sorry you are caught up in this situation.
Usually, pills are designed in different ways and for several reasons. Sometimes, in order to achieve a steady delivery or even for an extended time of a drug in the blood, it can be designed as a “slow release” or “Extended release”. For drugs that are unstable in the stomach, they can be “enterically-coated”. It can also be for the intent to mask the taste or make it easier to swallow. To achieve any of these, the tablets are film-coated in various degrees and ways.
Coated tablets, especially “enteric-coated, “sustained-release” or “extented-release” formulations should not be cut or crushed”. Doing so will distort their design and the purpose forfeited. They are to be swallowed whole.
To know what pills that can be cut, simply look at the pill. If it is “scored”, that is, if it has at least a line running through it, then it can be split along the score. Otherwise, it’s not intended to be cut.
I know Entecavir is not formulated as “extended- release” or “slow-release”. So, even if it’s not scored, it can be safely split. Apart from the taste splitting may expose, it would not significantly distort it’s pharmacokinetic profile as long as you try to split it to near equal halves (equal halves may not be easily achieved if not scored). So, you can slit to get your dose.
I do hope this will help you in some ways.
Best wishes.
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Hi everyone @Bansah @ThomasTu @Prince_Okinedo @Albasil808 @john.tavis
I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the support and kind words you’ve shared with me. Your encouragement has made a significant difference during this time.
I also wanted to inform you that the pharmacy has advised me to split my medication in half, and they’ve promised to provide me with the 0.5mg before the end of next week.
Thank you once again for your unwavering support. I am truly grateful to be part of such a caring community.
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Hi @Dosara,
We are glad to hear that you found a solution to resolve this issue. Don’t mention it, this is why we are here. To help, support, and provide guidance/encouragement for other patients. I am happy that you can now take your pill without having to deal with the stress or fear of running out. Best, Bansah1
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I’m also happy you found a solution!
In reply to @Albasil808: It would not be a good idea to take entecavir every other day. That would cause drug levels to drop below its critical level on the 2nd day and allow HBV to start replicating again. As with all viral replication inhibitors, it is very important that they be taken on the prescribed schedule to avoid gaps in drug efficacy. Gaps in drug coverage not only allow the virus to resume replication, but it also increases chances of drug resistance evolving.
John.
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