By Janice Harvey, RPh, CDE
Pharmacies can be a great resource for filling prescriptions for pets, often providing medications at a lower cost than veterinary clinics. However, not all medications for humans are safe for animals, and not all pharmacies can provide these medications in the dose or form that is most appropriate for your pet. Let’s look more closely at some of these considerations.
Some medications prescribed for pets are identical to those used by humans. All pharmacies can fill these prescriptions. There will be a cost savings, because pharmacies offer the generic equivalents (which are less expensive than the brand name products), and pharmacies usually have a larger quantity of these medications in stock, which may make for more timely access to treatment. Below are some examples of identical medications that any pharmacy can provide:
- Amoxicillin-Clavulanate: antibiotic, commonly used for respiratory infections and wounds
- Doxycycline: antibiotic, for bacterial infections, such as Lyme disease
- Enalapril: for high blood pressure
- Fluoxetine: for anxiety or behavioural issues
- Gabapentin: for pain relief (particularly for nerve pain) and anxiety
- Levothyroxine: for hypothyroidism in dogs
- Methimazole: for hyperthyroidism in cats
- Levetiracetam: for managing epilepsy (seizures)
- Trazodone: to reduce anxiety
The above medications require a prescription that is written by a veterinarian. You can ask your vet to give you a written or printed prescription to bring to the pharmacy or ask them to fax it to us directly so it can be ready to pick up at your convenience. Please note that while we can provide an emergency supply of your medications if you run out, we can’t do this for prescriptions written by a veterinarian. Check the prescription label to see if there are refills available.
Always check with your vet before giving your pet any medication. Don’t assume that over-the-counter medications will be safe. For example, loratadine (for allergies) may be safe, but it’s crucial that your vet determines the exact dose for your pet. In contract, some over-the-counter medications are toxic to animals (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen).
Whether a prescription or over-the-counter medication, it’s also possible that your pet will need a customized medication. They may, for example, need a very small dose that is not available in the medications for humans. Or you might not be able to get your pet to swallow a tablet, so they might need a chicken-flavoured liquid medication. In these cases, you may need to take your prescription to a specialty compounding pharmacy. There are three compounding pharmacies here in the Comox Valley.
Pharmacies can play a significant role in managing your pet’s health by providing convenient access to affordable medications. Always consult your veterinarian for advice and prescriptions that are tailored to your pet’s specific needs. If you’re not sure if we can provide a medication for your pet, just ask. We’re here to help.