How to Split a VESIcare Tablet

VESIcare is a medication used to treat overactive bladder. Symptoms of overactive bladder include urinary incontinence, urge to urinate and frequent urination. Overactive bladder occurs when the muscles in the bladder involuntarily contract, producing the urge to urinate. The contraction of the muscle can prevent urine from passing. Sometimes the force of the contraction is so great that the bladder sphincter cannot compensate, causing urine to pass (incontinence). VESIcare works to inhibit the muscarinic receptors in the bladder from contracting and to decrease urine production. The end result is less urge to urinate, decreased incontinence and reduced frequency of urination. On average, the cost of VESIcare for one month (without insurance) at a 5 or 10 mg per day dose is $170, at 2010 prices. The cost of the medication, combined with unwanted side effects (dry mouth, blurred vision and constipation), may contribute to a patient wanting to split the medication in half. The manufacturer recommends that VESIcare be taken whole with plenty of water. There are no reported contraindications to splitting the tablet in two.

Things You'll Need

• Hand sanitizer or soap
• Tablet splitter
• Water

Instructions

1. Wash your hands using hand sanitizer or soap.

2. Locate a tablet splitter and open the top case or shield to expose the traingular (v-shaped) center.

   Tablet splitters can be purchased at your local pharmacy for around $5.00. For more accurate results, purchase one with a safety shield.

3. Place the VESIcare tablet into the small rounded portion at the top of the triangle inside the tablet splitter.

   Make sure the tablet is in the proper placement. Failure to do so will result in inaccurate portions of the tablet after being split. Many tablets are scored (have markings indicating where the middle of the tablet is), making it easier to align with the blade. As a VESIcare tablet is not scored, use caution to make sure the tablet is in the proper placement before shutting the case.

4. Close the case or shield of the tablet splitter gently.

5. Apply firm pressure to the bottom of the case or shield, allowing the blade to cut the tablet in two.

   Small crumbs or pieces of the tablet may break off. Gather the crumbs and combine them with the split tablets. Evenly divide the tablet pieces and crumbs into two doses. Any crumbs or dust left will reduce the overall dose of the medication and result in an inaccurate consumption of the dose.

6. Place half of the divided tablets and remaining pieces into a container for consumption at a later time.

7. Take the remaining pieces and split tablet as the first dose. VESIcare tablets need to be taken with a substantial amount of water (8 oz.) to reduce the incidence of dry mouth.

Tips & Warnings

• Splitting tablets often can be tricky and messy. Some tablets crumble, and it can be difficult to gather the remaining dust to take as a dose. Ask your local pharmacist for advice or assistance in helping to split tablets.

• Discuss any adverse reactions with your doctor or pharmacist. Some medications are not intended to be split. Extended release medications are slowly absorbed into the blood stream and should not be split. By splitting these medications, the extended release mechanism is compromised; this can allow for the full dose of the medication to be released at one time into the blood stream. Always check with a doctor or pharmacist before you split any type of medication.

References

• Astellas: VESIcare Full Prescribing Information
• Medscape: FDA Drug Approvals--VESIcare, Tarceva and Others
• Merck Manual: Urinary Incontinence