Dividing medications

In order to achieve tolerable immunopathologyA state in which a patient has maintained an acceptable intensity of bacterial die-off reaction. The primary goal of the Marshall Protocol., Marshall ProtocolA curative medical treatment for chronic inflammatory disease. Based on the Marshall Pathogenesis. (MP) patients are continually adjusting the doses of their medications. Some patients may need to take as little as 1/8 of a standard pill. MP patients have a number of options for getting just the right amount of medication.

Patients may opt to gauge the size of medications by sight, or if they want to be precise, there is always the option of a jewelry scale. Amazon.com sells a number of such scales with 0.01 gram or better precision for $30 or below.

A pill cutter is a relatively inexpensive, if not precise, way to divide a tablet in half. Most pharmacies and drug stores carry pill cutters.

Pill cutters allow you to cut tablets in half with a reasonable degree of precision.

Pills containing powdered medications are a little trickier. Some have found it helpful to dump the contents (all the contents) on a mirror, glassine paper, or other clean surface and divide it using a razor blade. Some MP patients have found that consuming the powder alone upsets their stomach, so it may be worth putting the contents of the medication into an empty gelatin capsule, which are available at many health food stores. The following funnel-like tools have been used to move the powder into a capsule, some more successfully than others:

• drinking straw – Patient experience: “I cut the edge of a straw and slit the end of the straw just a little bit so that it will fit into the capsule and when I divide the meds into 1/4th I just scoop it into the straw while the straw is in the capsule and lift it up, tap the straw gently and the meds go into the capsule.”
• mini-funnel
• snow cone holder
• cone-shaped dispensable cups for water cooler

A less technical option is to stir the medication into some apple sauce or yogurt.

Compounding pharmacies will divide medications. MP patients have used the following pharmacies:

• Dollar Drug – California-based; accepts Medicare, Med-Cal, and most other insurance; ships anywhere; phone: 800-728-3173
• College Pharmacy – Colorado Springs-based

One patient was recently quoted a price of 60 cents to have a 50mg capsule compounded. Some insurance companies may not reimburse charges for compounding.