Posted by RobertDavid on May 22, 2006, at 0:08:47
After doing some Googling I got the email address to one of the reaserchers involved in the EMSAM studies (Dr. Alexander J. Bodkin, MD). You can google his name and EMSAM if you'd like to read about him and his involvement with EMSAM.
Anyway, I specifically asked him if the patch could be cut in half and if so what effects cutting it might have such as selegiline leaking, uneven dose delivery or other possible issues. The following was his emailed response:
"No harm in carefully cutting them in half. Wash you hands afterward. Nothing will ooze out. Many lab animals got their EmSam that way over the years. If its good enough for lab animals its good enough for people. Lab scientists are very careful about dosage precision.
Good luck to you."I know many have had questions regarding this issue including me. I have suspected I don't need the full 20mg dose and have been taking the patch off in at night and re-applying it in the morning (per my doctors suggestion). Though I sleep better the problem has been that it takes until about lunch time to get back the energy and mental boost I like from it. So I'm going to cut the patch in half tomorrow and see if I continue to get a positive response.
I suspect the drug companies don't want customers cutting patches because one might buy a 40mg patch and cut it in half to save the money to get a 20mg patch (that's purely my speculation). but if it works and I end up paying half for this expensive med, it won't hurt my feeling any.
I feel confident this he knows what he's talking about. Anyway, just more info, use it as you and you're doctor see fit. Rob
poster:RobertDavid
thread:646774
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060520/msgs/646774.html