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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lin on February 14, 2001, at 16:35:24
My pdoc's colleague told her that it is a bad idea to cut Zyprexa tablets in half because the half that is not immediately consumed loses efficacy due to some kind of chemical change that occurs. Has anyone ever heard of this? Cam W.?
--Lin
Posted by Greg on February 14, 2001, at 17:18:10
In reply to Bad to cut Zyprexa in half?, posted by Lin on February 14, 2001, at 16:35:24
Lin,
I see my psych in about an hour and I'll ask about this. I take Zyprexa too and it would be a good thing to know. If Cam hasn't already responded, I'll let you know what I find out.
Greg
> My pdoc's colleague told her that it is a bad idea to cut Zyprexa tablets in half because the half that is not immediately consumed loses efficacy due to some kind of chemical change that occurs. Has anyone ever heard of this? Cam W.?
>
> --Lin
Posted by Lorraine on February 14, 2001, at 18:57:41
In reply to Re: Bad to cut Zyprexa in half? » Lin, posted by Greg on February 14, 2001, at 17:18:10
Lin: This is from the tips board:
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 17:27:27 -0500
From: Lauren Marangell MD < laurenm@bcm.tmc.edu >
Subject: Cutting olanzapine tablets
I was informed by my drug rep that Zyprexa (olanzapine) tablets should not be cut because of potential O2 degradation and that crushing is strictly verboten because it is potentially volatile!
--Mary D. Moller--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 9 Dec 1996 02:21:13 -0800
From: Tina < tinam@tidepool.com >
Subject: Cutting olanzapine tabletsI was told by our Lilly rep that you should not cut olanzapine tablets, that the coating on the tablets is there to protect the very light sensitive compound inside. The "leftover" half of the pill turns brown quickly (though the clinical significance of this was not explained).
If you do split tablets, you are supposed to discard the portion you are not using, so the cost factor stays the same.
Posted by Rzip on February 14, 2001, at 19:19:41
In reply to Re: Bad to cut Zyprexa in half?, posted by Lorraine on February 14, 2001, at 18:57:41
> Lin: This is from the tips board:
>
> Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 17:27:27 -0500
> From: Lauren Marangell MD < laurenm@bcm.tmc.edu >
> Subject: Cutting olanzapine tablets
>
>
> I was informed by my drug rep that Zyprexa (olanzapine) tablets should not be cut because of potential O2 degradation and that crushing is strictly verboten because it is potentially volatile!
> --Mary D. Moller
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Mon, 9 Dec 1996 02:21:13 -0800
> From: Tina < tinam@tidepool.com >
> Subject: Cutting olanzapine tablets
>
> I was told by our Lilly rep that you should not cut olanzapine tablets, that the coating on the tablets is there to protect the very light sensitive compound inside. The "leftover" half of the pill turns brown quickly (though the clinical significance of this was not explained).
>
> If you do split tablets, you are supposed to discard the portion you are not using, so the cost factor stays the same.
Posted by ItsJustMe on February 14, 2001, at 20:55:10
In reply to Bad to cut Zyprexa in half?, posted by Lin on February 14, 2001, at 16:35:24
go figure
> My pdoc's colleague told her that it is a bad idea to cut Zyprexa tablets in half because the half that is not immediately consumed loses efficacy due to some kind of chemical change that occurs. Has anyone ever heard of this? Cam W.?
>
> --Lin
Posted by Cam W. on February 14, 2001, at 23:51:29
In reply to Bad to cut Zyprexa in half?, posted by Lin on February 14, 2001, at 16:35:24
To all - I've gone throught this many times. I have had the answer faxed to me from Lilly headquarters.
Any split tablet must be consumed within a week (probably the sooner the better). It does begin to oxidize, but only the exposed part. If you scooped out the powder and spread it out on a table, increasing the exposed surface area, yes it will degradate faster; only because you increase the amount of drug exposed to oxygen. It is best to use a cut tablet for the next dose. I wouldn't cut up a bunch ahead of time.
The damn things are hard to cut though, especially to get an even dose. Use a sharp knife on a cutting board and wash the cutting board afterward. Also, the powder is fairly caustic, so don't go rubbing it into your eyes (ie wash your hands after handling a split tablet).
Zyprexa can also be mixed into most any liquid, including Coke. I wouldn't mix it into Pepsi, though, because Pepsi tastes like crap without adding anything to it ;^) (even Pepsi is fine, really).
Sigh! I guess this is how urban legends get started. - Cam
Posted by danf on February 15, 2001, at 3:49:28
In reply to Re: Bad to cut Zyprexa in half? - NOPE!, posted by Cam W. on February 14, 2001, at 23:51:29
To all - I've gone throught this many times. I have had the answer faxed to me from Zyprexa herself !!
>
Zyprexa prefers quick consumation (the sooner the better, without doubt). She does begin to oxidize, but only the exposed part. If you talk nice to her & don't try to get her out on a table, she does not like the exposed public areas.I wouldn't cut up a lot ahead of time, wait for the right moment. She preffers a bed or Hottub tho... it is best to take her out and feed her first. She is not a degenerate !!
She is hard to cut though, especially to get close as she reaslly does not like to be cut. Use a sharp knife on a cutting board and wash the cutting board afterward. Also, the blood will stain, so don't go rubbing it into your eyes (ie wash your hands afterwards.
>
Zyprexa can also be wooed with most any liquid, including Coke. I wouldn't woo her with Pepsi, though, because Pepsi tastes like crap without adding anything to it ;^) (even Pepsi is fine, really). She prefers Gin, really !!
>
Sigh! I guess this is how urban legends get started. - Dan
Posted by Chris A. on February 16, 2001, at 20:24:31
In reply to Re: Bad to cut Zyprexa in half? - YES !, posted by danf on February 15, 2001, at 3:49:28
> To all - I've gone throught this many times. I have had the answer faxed to me from Zyprexa herself !!
> >
> Zyprexa prefers quick consumation (the sooner the better, without doubt). She does begin to oxidize, but only the exposed part. If you talk nice to her & don't try to get her out on a table, she does not like the exposed public areas.
>
> I wouldn't cut up a lot ahead of time, wait for the right moment. She preffers a bed or Hottub tho... it is best to take her out and feed her first. She is not a degenerate !!
>
> She is hard to cut though, especially to get close as she reaslly does not like to be cut. Use a sharp knife on a cutting board and wash the cutting board afterward. Also, the blood will stain, so don't go rubbing it into your eyes (ie wash your hands afterwards.
> >
> Zyprexa can also be wooed with most any liquid, including Coke. I wouldn't woo her with Pepsi, though, because Pepsi tastes like crap without adding anything to it ;^) (even Pepsi is fine, really). She prefers Gin, really !!
> >
> Sigh! I guess this is how urban legends get started. - Dan
This is the end of the thread.
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