Question about Augmentin 500

[P_Mom]

I know this has been asked before, but, I can't find it....it has been awhile.

 

Can you split Augmentin 500 mg pills in half? I know if you did, the C. acid would be less than in the regular 250 mg Aug., but, would that be the only difference? Would it be like taking 250 mg Amox,. with some c. acid in it???

 

I have only 500 mg pills left, and I have been giving my boys the 250 mg pills once a day (I know, not really sufficient, but, it has worked for years) I would like to keep them on this low dose as long as it is working......so, I either start giving them the 500 mg Aug. pill once a day, or, can I split the pill in half with the result of them getting 250 mg Amox. with a bit of c. acid??

 

Any thoughts would help...at a cross-roads here.

 

Also, prayers are welcome as my younger son is getting his tonsils and adenoids removed Thursday.

 

THANKS!

[PhillyPA]

Yes you can split them in half. Dr. Latimer was trying to get my son to take the pills so I wouldn't have to keep going back to the pharmacy to get the liquid every 10 days. I said they were to big. She said to split them in half. I said they were still to big so we ended up sticking with the liquid. But, you CAN split them in half. I know that they are chewable and suppose to taste decent but my son hates them. I even tried crushing them in applesauce (which is also okay) but he doesn't like the texture. These augmentin chewable pills are different from the Augmentin XR Saving Sammy dose. Those extended release pills can not be broken up.

[P_Mom]

Thank You! But, these aren't the chewables...they are the regular pills....does that make a difference?

Edited October 31, 2010 by P.Mom

[philamom]

I know two of the 250mg isn't the same as one 500mg...that's because both pills have 125 clav acid in them. I'm not sure about splitting a 500mg pill.

[EAMom]

One thing I heard is that the Clav. Acid portion of the pill degrades if the augmentin is cut (because it's exposed to air or moisture). But, if the pills aren't sitting around for a long time (esp. if you give each boy 1/2 at the same time) I would think it would be okay.

 

Like you said, they would be getting less Clav. Acid than if they each took a 250mg Clav. pill. I think that would be the main difference.