Why Isn't levitra Recommended To Be Split?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses why levitra tablets are not recommended to be split.
Why is it recommended to not split tablets of vardenafil? I have been splitting the 20 mg tablets and taking them daily for over a year, for ED. What are the problems that could arise if you take split tablets over an extended period of time?
Key points
- Brand levitra tablets are not recommended to be split for a variety of reasons (e.g. they have a film-coating and an irregular shape).
- Generic vardenafil tablets are also not recommended to be split due to the tablets being film-coated.
- Nevertheless, splitting levitra and generic vardenafil tablets is a common practice, and it generally shouldn't result in any significant negative consequences.
- Neither brand levitra nor generic vardenafil tablets are scored.
Whether or not a particular drug tablet or pill can be split is one of our most common questions.
In general, if the drug is 'immediate-release' (i.e. does not have some sort of extended or delayed-release mechanism), it can be split, but there are exceptions.
levitra (vardenafil) is one of those exceptions.
Can You Split levitra?
As you stated in your question, you are correct that the manufacturer of levitra ( vardenafil ) recommends not to cut or split the tablets. Per the prescribing information
The labeling for both the brand name levitra and generic vardenafil tablets (all manufacturers) explicitly states that the tablets should not be split, as shown in the image of two labels below:
There are a few reasons why it is recommended for levitra tablets to stay intact, but overall, the potential consequence of splitting tablets is likely, not significant.
In fact, it is not uncommon for prescribers to recommend splitting levitra tablets as a potential cost-saving measure for patients.
Why Shouldn't levitra Be Split?
There are two main reasons why levitra (and associated generic) tablets are not recommended to be cut or split:
- Brand name levitra tablets have a non-symmetrical shape.
- Generic vardenafil tablets, many of which are symmetrical, are film-coated (brand levitra is film-coated too). Splitting these tablets will destroy the film-coating.
Aside from the two reasons above, other reasons exist for the recommendation not to split the tablets. They include:
Shape Of The Pill
Brand name levitra tablets, like Viagra, have an odd, non-symmetrical shape. Below is an image of the 20 mg levitra tablet:
The non-symmetrical shape of levitra tablets would make it difficult to evenly split into two pieces. This may lead to inconsistent dosing.
Generic levitra products (vardenafil) are recommended not to be split too, even though most of them are symmetrical in shape. The recommendation not to split these is likely mostly due to the film-coating.
It is important to point out that neither the brand nor the generic tablets are scored. Even with the use of a pill splitter, non-scored tablets can be difficult to split evenly.
Lack Of Data
During clinical trials for levitra, the manufacturer (Eli Lilly) only looked at the use of whole tablets. There is no safety or efficacy data on the use of split tablets. Therefore, the generic products have no data on split tablets either.
Film-Coating
Brand and generic vardenafil tablets are film-coated. Splitting the tablets destroys the film coating.
There are a variety of reasons why a drug tablet may be film-coated, including:
- They are often easier to swallow and less likely to cause throat irritation than non-coated tablets.
- Some film coatings are designed to protect the tablet from dissolving in the stomach. This can not only reduce the potential of certain side effects (e.g. nausea), it can also help to make the drug more effective by preventing early degradation by stomach acid.
According to the prescribing information for both levitra and generic vardenafil products, the film coating is not a delayed-release mechanism and is therefore likely intended only to ease swallowing and to protect the tablets from excess moisture.
What Happens If You Do Split Them?
Having said all of the above, splitting/cutting erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs like levitra is a fairly common practice. Your doctor may even recommend you do it if you need to adjust your dose or as a cost-saving measure.
There have been no reported safety issues cutting levitra (or generic vardenafil) tablets, and they are not listed on the ISMP list of medications that shouldn't be crushed.
If you have the brand-name tablets, and your doctor has recommended splitting them to adjust your dose or as a cost-saving measure, take care in doing so since it can be difficult to cut the oddly shaped tablets (and they aren't scored).
If you have a generic vardenafil tablet, most are symmetrical and should be easier to split evenly when compared to the brand-name ones.
However, be aware, if you do split the tablets, they may be slightly more difficult to swallow since the film-coating will no longer be intact. They may also have an unpleasant taste.
References
- levitra Prescribing Information, AccessFDA
- Which drug for erectile dysfunction?, Harvard Health
- Accuracy of tablet splitting: Comparison study between hand splitting and tablet cutter., PubMed
- Oral Dosage Forms That Should Not Be Crushed, ISMP
- vardenafil Monograph, DailyMED
- Development of an easily swallowed film formulation, PubMed
If you have a generic vardenafil tablet, most are symmetrical and should be easier to split evenly when compared to the brand-name ones.
Why Isn't levitra Recommended To Be Split?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses why levitra tablets are not recommended to be split.
Why is it recommended to not split tablets of vardenafil? I have been splitting the 20 mg tablets and taking them daily for over a year, for ED. What are the problems that could arise if you take split tablets over an extended period of time?
There are a variety of reasons why a drug tablet may be film-coated, including:
What Happens If You Do Split Them?
vardenafil Monograph, DailyMED.
20.08.2023 19:01:33
2023-08-20 19:01:33