Posted by JohnL on May 3, 2000, at 3:27:13
In reply to Pill Splitting saves $$, but do it right, posted by JohnB on May 3, 2000, at 2:39:24
I always request the largest available dose for the very purpose of saving money. I've gotten pretty good at using a large kitchen knife to cut pills (the kind of knife you would use to chop or dice vegies). It has to be sharp to help get accurate sizes. I find anchoring one end of the knife on the table works better than trying to cut straight down.
There's an added indirect bonus savings too. Assuming the patient is stable, not requiring frequent followup doctor visits and med change visits, then the doctor costs are cut in half too. Many times I've simply called my doc's office to ask if they could call in a renewal to my pharmacy. They always do. So as long as I'm stable, I can save a ton of money on doctor visits--either by lengthening the time period between visits by pill-splitting, or by having them call in a renewal, or both.
As a bit of tidbit trivia for anyone not already aware, some meds that come in a capsule instead of a tablet (Prozac for example, and Effexor XR according to my pdoc) can be emptied into juice. Stir well and drink the appropriate dose, saving the rest in the fridge for next time. A glass or container that has measurements on the side is helpful for accuracy. The drug will not dissolve in the juice and will settle at the bottom of the glass, so it must be stirred well before drinking.
I enjoy a 75% savings on Remeron due to the low dose I take. My 7.5mg is 1/4 of a 30mg tab. So each pill lasts four days, and costs 1/4th as much. Each prescription lasts 240 days, instead of 60, so as long as I'm doing OK I can go a long time between doctor visits. I might schedule an appointment anyway just so the doc doesn't forget who I am! :-)
JohnL
poster:JohnL
thread:32004
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000429/msgs/32005.html