At 08:53 PM 6/25/98 , Coleen Pettit wrote:
>
>Hi again :)
>
>Also, I wanted to mention that with the Sinemet Cr you can't cut
>the pill in half...that stops the controlled release...that is what
>our neurologist said. I am sure you already know that though :)
Coleen,
It is my understanding that the Sinemet CR pill is homogeneous, and that
the rate at which it dissolves is roughly proportional to the surface area
remaining. Thus, unless you grind the pill to a powder, breaking the pill
in two gives a different release versus time characteristic, but it still
gives a controlled release.
It can also be argued that because some of the unbroken pill leaves the
average person's digestive tract before it is dissolved, breaking the pill
in two means that more of the pill will be dissolved in the blood stream
and carried to the brain, but it will be released over a shorter period
than that of an unbroken pill.
Finally, it might be noted that the pill has a line on it for easy
splitting into two roughly equal pieces. Why would it be there if the
manufacturer did not intend that it be split in some cases?
Art
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Arthur Hirsch {} [log in to unmask] {} Lewisville, TX {} 972-434-2377
(nickname on instant mail, ICQ, and chat programs is cutterson)
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Always Remember This: Happiness Is Right, So Choose Happiness
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