Analytical Balance Tests Tablet Splitting

Before and after split weighing on an analytical balance showed the splitting device as the best option for splitting tablets

Before and after split weighing on an analytical balance showed the splitting device as the best option for splitting tablets

Tablet splitting is a common practice when you need to give less than a full dose. However this has significant risks as this study found out.  Five volunteers were asked to mimic the practice in nursing homes using a splitting device, a scissor, and a kitchen knife.  The splitting device turned out to be the most accurate way to split a tablet.  Using an analytical balance the researchers measured the difference between each of the methods before and after the split.  The scissor and knife produced statistically similar results while the splitting device had a statistically significant lower mean deviation from the theoretical weight after the split.  There was also significantly less weight loss with the device than with the knife or scissors.

For further information visit www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

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About Bob Sandor

Bob began working as a chemist in 1987 and remains a science geek to this day. After his PhD he worked on the bench in materials and inorganic chemistry for 10 years. He then took on a love for marketing and sales. He combined his passion for science and business and took entrepreneur general management positions in large corporations like Hoecsht Celanese now Sanofi Aventis, Bel-Art and Smiths Detection. There he learned what it would take to run a business and finally Tovatech was co-founded in 2006. Bob’s hobbies include playing, listening and composing music, skiing, working out, the internet and all things science. Read More