Can you split an imitrex tablet to take?
I have noticed that it says not to split or crush an imitrex tablet. What is the reason for this and
what would happen if I split the tablet and only take half of it at a time?
I believe imitrex tablets have a time release but I don't know the affect it will do to your body if you take half. Imitrex may not work if you split it.
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I can't say that I have ever split an Imitrex, as I usually need at least 100 mg to knock out a migraine. For me, it takes about 30 minutes after taking a tablet for it to kick in. I do not think the tablets are coated, so I do not see why you couldn't split them. You might also try the statdose injection. The shot is self-administered and feels like a hefty bee-sting, but the migraine relief is more immediate. I keep both as options and judge which to take when based on how fast the onset of the migraine is. I have been battling the migraines for over 20 years...good luck getting rid of yours.
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The tablets have a special formulation that may be less effective if split. You might want to check this with your doctor before you do it.
Teri
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No idea Linda. But I am also perscribed to relpax (40mg). If I am experiencing a very bad migraine I take the imitrex. If it's just one of those migraines that stays at a low grade level but isn't going away on its own, I take the relpax because it is not as strong as imitrex (for me anyway). You cannot mix these medications!! But I alternate them so I don't get rebounds. I understand wanting to cut the imitrex...it's really powerful and affective but if your headache isn't that bad you don't want to waste them.
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Nebula,
Alternating triptans will NOT avoid rebound. Avoiding rebound takes not using the same CLASS of medications more than two or three days a week.
Teri
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I have been spliting Imitrex for years. My neurologist told me I could split them and I have not noticed any problems. I just tried the new generic and it doesn't work as well for me so I now wonder if spliting them is the problem. I would like an answer on this too.
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rbcool,
Please see my answer above. The Imitrex prescribing information says, "Do not split tablets." The can't say that just so you won't. They can only say it if splitting the tablets makes the medication less effective.
Teri
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i split my imitrex 100mg all the time into halfs cuz sometimes a 100mg is too much & i feel like im wasting it. my md prescribe 100mg cuz it was cheaper on my insurance. if it is a migraine that i catch when it 1st starts ill split the half into half again. i asked my nurse & she told me whatever works.
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Kerriann
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:31 AM
I agree with this. I split my tablets because the 100mg rendered me unable to move. I am a very slim person, and when a drug has side effects I am pretty much 95% of the time going to be effected by them. When i take 100mg it takes about 15 minutes before I start to feel really fuzzy and sick to my stomache. If I don't lay down and stay completely still I get so nauseous I have to fight to not throw up. I decided to cut my pill once to see what happened and it worked just as well and without the extreme nausea. I can function enough to go to work when with the 100mg I would have had to call in (and i get my migraines once a month so my employer was not liking that). I will be asking for a smaller dose the next time I go to my doc though.
I take the new generic form for Imitrex. I also split them when I don't feel like I need 100 mg. It takes about an hour for it to work but other than that I have not had any problem.