Can You Take Half an Allergy Pill? What to Know Before Splitting Your Dose
Key takeaways:
It’s safe to cut certain allergy pills in half. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) chewable tablets and Xyzal (levocetirizine) are two examples.
There are many allergy pills that you should swallow whole. You shouldn’t split allergy medications that come as capsules or extended-release tablets.
One way to know whether you can split an allergy pill is to look for a score line on tablets. There should also be directions saying it’s OK to split on your medication’s label. Your pharmacist can also tell you if it’s safe to cut your allergy pills in half.
Table of contents
Flowers are blooming, and you’re sneezing. Allergy season is here, and you’re probably looking for relief. Allergy pills, such as antihistamines, are a popular option to help manage symptoms.
But what if your medication causes side effects, such as drowsiness? How can you manage them? In many cases, taking a lower dosage can help. And you may be tempted to split the tablets you have at home. But this isn’t always safe to do.
So when can you take half an allergy pill?
Search and compare options
Can you take half an allergy pill?
It depends on the allergy pill you’re taking. Some allergy pills, such as Xyzal (levocetirizine), are safe to split in half. But others, such as Allegra-D (fexofenadine / pseudoephedrine), should be swallowed whole.
Splitting pills may change how your body absorbs a medication. In some cases, it could make the medication less effective. In others, it could cause more side effects.
It’s best to check with a pharmacist before cutting allergy pills in half.
What allergy pills are safe to cut in half?
There are a few allergy pills that are safe to cut in half. Examples include:
Xyzal tablets and its generic versions
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) chewable tablets and its generic versions
Certain generic versions of Zyrtec (cetirizine) tablets
Aller-Chlor (chlorpheniramine) tablets and certain generic versions
These aren’t the only allergy pills that can be cut in half. Your pharmacist is a great resource to let you know if your product is safe to split.
Do not crush: If you have difficulty swallowing pills, you may be tempted to crush, split, or chew the tablet to make it easier to take. Here’s a list of medications that should always be swallowed whole.
Comparing options: Learn about the differences between the types of allergy medications so you can choose the right one for you.
All about antihistamines: Pharmacists list some of the most common antihistamines, a common group of allergy pills.
There are also two things you can look for to help determine if an allergy pill can be cut in half:
Score lines: If a tablet has an indented line on one or both sides, this generally means it can be cut along that mark.
Directions: If the directions on your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) label say to take half a pill, then it’s OK to do so.
Which allergy medications should you not cut in half?
There are several allergy medications that you shouldn’t cut in half. These include:
Allergy pills that comes as capsules
Allergy pills that say “extended-release” or “ER” on the package
Allegra (fexofenadine) tablets and its generic versions
Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and its generic versions
Antihistamine / decongestant combination pills, such as Allegra-D
This isn’t a full list of all allergy pills that you shouldn’t split. If your pill doesn’t have a score line or directions telling you to take half a pill, don’t cut them. Check with a pharmacist first.
Does cutting allergy pills in half reduce their effectiveness?
Sometimes, yes. If you cut an allergy pill in half, it may not work as well. Most allergy medications have a standard dosage that’s considered effective for adults. Taking half the recommended dose may not be enough to provide the intended effects.
For instance, Benadryl’s adult dosage is 25 mg to 50 mg every 4 to 6 hours. Each chewable tablet (which are safe to split) contains 12.5 mg of diphenhydramine. If you take a half of one of these, you would only be taking 6.25 mg. This is much lower than what’s recommended for adults, and it may not work. So even though you can split Benadryl chewable tablets, it doesn’t mean you always should.
Other times, cutting allergy pills in half may raise the risk of side effects. This is typically the case if you’re splitting an ER tablet. This type of pill often has a special coating. Some coatings help pills to reach a certain location in your gut before dissolving. Others release medication slowly to help it work for longer in the body.
Cutting ER dosage forms in half can change this process. The pill may release the medication too soon or too quickly. And this can make side effects more intense or more likely to happen.
When should you consider cutting allergy pills in half?
There are times when cutting an allergy pill in half is helpful or necessary. Times you may consider splitting pills include:
For a child: Children under age 12 typically take lower dosages of allergy medications. You might need to split a pill in order to give your child the right dose for their age or body weight.
To manage side effects: It’s common to experience side effects with the standard dosage of allergy medications, notably antihistamines. Taking a lower dosage may help lessen side effects while still providing enough medication to relieve symptoms.
To help you swallow it: Many people have trouble swallowing pills. Cutting them in half can make it easier to take your doses.
To save money: Splitting a higher-dose pill can make your medication last longer. And this can help save you money.
If you have liver or kidney problems: Some medications have different dosages for people with liver or kidney disease. A healthcare professional may suggest splitting pills as a way to make sure you take a safe dose.
How to save on allergy medication
There are many ways to save on your allergy medication(s). GoodRx can help you navigate your options, which may include GoodRx coupons, copay savings cards, and patient assistance programs. You can find allergy medication prices as low as $5 with a free GoodRx coupon.
You can also use GoodRx to save on OTC allergy medications. Just ask a healthcare professional to write you a prescription for the OTC medication(s) you take.
The bottom line
Cutting allergy pills in half is a common way for people to manage side effects or save money. But it’s not always safe to do this. Examples of allergy pills you can split in half include Benadryl (diphenhydramine) chewable tablets and Xyzal (levocetirizine). You shouldn’t cut allergy pills that come as capsules or extended-release tablets. Doing so may cause the medication not to work as well or raise your risk of side effects. Always ask a pharmacist before cutting an allergy pill in half.
Why trust our experts?
References
Chattem, Inc. (2025). Xyzal allergy 24HR- levocetirizine dihydrochloride tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
CVS Pharmacy, Inc. (2024). Cetirizine- cetirizine tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
Kenvue Brands LLC. (2024). Childrens Benadryl Chewables- diphenhydramine hydrochloride tablet, chewable [package insert]. DailyMed.
Rugby Laboratories. (2024). Aller-Chlor- chlorpheniramine maleate tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
