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Error or Not an Error???



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Dec 09, 2008 09:39 PM

Error or Not an Error???

by ddgypsy

I am hoping that someone can tell me if it is okay to cut a Lunesta in half ? There was a huge argument about it at work this weekend. My co-worker had an order for Lunesta 3mg, and there was only 2mg available.She cut one of the 2mg in half to make the 3mg. When she asked me what I thought, I told her that I really wasn't sure to call the doctor or pharmacist.The doctor said to cut it. The DON threw a fit!!! The Lunesta website really has no information pertaining to cutting the tablet in half. One pharmacist I spoke with said "No", one said "It doesn't matter one way or another". What's your opinion??

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14 Comments
No. 1
from ohmeowzer RN
Old Dec 09, 2008, 10:31 PM

Default Re: Error or Not an Error???
is it scored ? if it is scored you can cut it half...
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No. 2
from ddgypsy
Old Dec 10, 2008, 11:36 AM

Default Re: Error or Not an Error???
It is not scored.
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No. 3
from Emerld2000
Old Dec 10, 2008, 09:49 PM

Default Re: Error or Not an Error???
Lunesta is not scored, and if it was when you cut a 3mg pill in half that would have been 1.5mg. In my opnion that would have been a medication error and as a DON I would have had a fit as well. What she should have done is got a one time order for 3mg untill the 2mg was avail.
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No. 4
from 1214RN
Old Dec 11, 2008, 10:40 AM

Default Re: Error or Not an Error???
Emerald: The post said they cut the 2mg tab in half and then used that half plus another 2mg to equal 3 mg total.
OP: If there is that much discrepancy about cutting or not from pharmacists and MD and med reference resources, it mustn't be too big of a deal. Lunesta isn't extended release is it? I can think of an example at my work, 25 mg Seroquel tabs. Tabs are NOT SCORED but when we have a pt that needs 12.5 mgs the pharmacy does cut the 25 mgs to send us the 12.5 dosage.


Originally Posted by Emerld2000 View Post
Lunesta is not scored, and if it was when you cut a 3mg pill in half that would have been 1.5mg. In my opnion that would have been a medication error and as a DON I would have had a fit as well. What she should have done is got a one time order for 3mg untill the 2mg was avail.
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No. 5
from Lexxie
Old Dec 15, 2008, 06:01 AM

Default Re: Error or Not an Error???
Does your facility have a policy about cutting meds in half? I worked at one where they would not allow us to cut meds in half.
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No. 6
from ILoveRatties
Old Dec 15, 2008, 08:57 AM

Default Re: Error or Not an Error???
I think Lunesta is actually extended release. I've seen those commercials that talk about helping you get to sleep, and then helping you stay asleep. That says extended release to me.....
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No. 7
from Virgo_RN
Old Dec 19, 2008, 03:58 AM

Default Re: Error or Not an Error???
Lunesta is not an extended release medication, and in fact, is rapidly absorbed, i.e. 1-2 hours.
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No. 8
from lil' girl
Old Jan 12, 2009, 12:22 AM

Default Re: Error or Not an Error???
Doesn't your pharmacy provide you with a list of meds NOT TO BE CRUSHED/CUT??
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No. 9
from mlolsonny
Old Feb 11, 2009, 05:43 PM

Default Re: Error or Not an Error???
If the MD told you to cut it in half, if it's an error, it's the MD's error.
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