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You’re an animal lover–you want what’s best for your bet, especially when they are sick. A trip to the vet can cause stress for both you and your pet. With payments, medications, and lists of do’s and don’ts, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. While most vets have a pharmacy right on site, there are some medical problems that require specific or targeted treatments. That’s where your local compounding pharmacy comes in. Compounding pharmacies can mix ingredients to the very specific doses that your pet requires, alter the flavor of a medication, or create pet-specific combination medications that improve your ability to treat your pet. Here is a list of some of the different types of compounded medications for pets that your local compounding pharmacy can provide.
Transdermal Gels
These compounded medications for pets are made into a gel that is put inside the animal’s ear flap. Vets prescribe transdermal gels most commonly to deliver antiparasitics, anti-inflammatories, and sometimes, hormones. Transdermal gels work in the same way as transdermal patches–by transferring the medication through the derma (skin) and into the bloodstream.
Methimazole
Vets use Methimazole to treat canine or feline hyperthyroidism, also known as an overactive thyroid. It’s used in both dogs and cats, but is a much more common and effective treatment for felines. The medicine used in the transdermal gel is the exact same as the tablets, and often comes in ready to use syringes for easy dosing of your pet.
This is a fast-acting medication, though full results can take some time. Compounding pharmacies can also create oral methimazole suspensions and pills. Wet versions of the drug have a three-month lifespan, whereas pills generally last approximately one year..
Amitriptyline
Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. It balances certain receptors and chemicals in the brain. It treats a variety of behavioral issues in pets, and is often prescribed for anxiety, separation anxiety, excessive grooming, spraying in cats, and overgrooming. Some pets may benefit from using this drug for chronic nerve pain and severe itching.
Amitriptyline pills are small and easy to dose, so it isn’t really common for a vet to prescribe it in a transdermal gel. Vets typically prescribe it when other dosing methods have failed or when the pet has pre-existing liver considerations.
Prednisolone
This medication is a steroid that decreases inflammation and alters the immune system’s response. Vets prescribe it to treat itching, swelling, and redness associated with allergies, breathing and skin problems, and a wide range of auto-immune conditions. Veterinary oncologists also prescribe it alongside chemotherapy treatments for particularly aggressive or difficult-to-treat growths and cancers.
Prednisolone is available in a long list of delivery methods, but the transdermal gel is particularly appropriate for pets with autoimmune skin conditions as it can be applied directly to the affected area.
Capsules
Another type of compounded medications for pets is capsules. Capsules mimic the style and shape of a pill, but rather than being sold, are pre-filled and then snapped together by your compounding pharmacist. Dosing a capsule is identical to dosing a pill; the only difference is that your pharmacist can alter what’s inside the pill before you begin.
Diethylstilbestrol
Commonly known as DES, this medication is used to treat estrogen responsive urinary incontinence. This condition occurs in spayed female dogs and may be related to incomplete spay or other hormone conditions. Estrogen responsive urinary incontinence can be a serious challenge for pet owners; to some, it may seem like the dog has regressed. But no amount of potty training will change this condition. Only medications like DES can help.
DES is also used to treat male dogs with an enlarged prostate, whether due to a condition like cancer or even just old age. The medication reduces the swelling and relieves pressure.
DES has a short shelf life of just 20 weeks. You should closely monitor your usage of the drug and request a refill at least one week in advance of the end of your current prescription.
Potassium Bromide Capsules
Potassium bromide treats seizures and neurological disorders. This drug is one of the oldest anti-seizure drugs available on the market to date, and was first created to treat people in the late 1800s. Today we have better medications for humans, but in pets, potassium bromide remains a go-to medication for hard-to-treat or resistant epilepsy.
This medication contains the original medication potassium bromide, but comes in an easier-to-dose capsule form. Compounding pharmacies sometimes combine it with other medications, like phenobarbital or benzodiazepines, to increase the efficacy of the other drug.
During treatment, your vet will monitor your pet’s blood work closely. He or she may make adjustments to the amount of potassium bromide that your pet receives daily along the way.
Cisapride Capsules
The medical and veterinary industries both rely upon Cisapride as a medication that reduces gastrointestinal complaints. It is remarkably effective at treating acid reflux, G.E.R.D., and diarrhea or constipation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Cisapride capsules increase motility in the upper gut, preventing food and substances from sitting too long in the stomach. This improves digestion and reduces irritation along the bowel for most pets.
Like potassium bromide, Cisapride has a short shelf life. Seek refills at a maximum of every 90 days.
Mixed Form Medications
Mixed form medications come in such a broad range of options that it would be functionally impossible to list them all here in a single blog post. Essentially, anytime your pharmacist mixes two medications together, they are creating a new mixed form medication. This is useful for pets with filler allergies, pets who are particularly small or very large, and any animal who has a special health consideration or pre-existing condition.
For example, Trilostane commonly treats pets who suffer from Cushing’s Disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism. This is a disorder where the body produces too much cortisol.
Because the exact dose can vary based on your pet’s hormone levels, compounding is almost always necessary for adrenal issues. But there’s another good reason to give Trilostane as a compounded substance; vets often add other medications into it, like steroids, when treating conditions like cancer or adrenal tumors.
Some medications, depending on the pharmacy, may also come in flavored chewables, micro tablets, eye drops or gels, otic ear packs, and sterile injectables. All of these give you the option and ability to meet your pet’s needs however suits you both best.
How to Access Compounded Medications for Pets and their Prices
Do you have a prescription for a compounded medication? If so, understand that ordering compounded medications for pets doesn’t need to be any more difficult than ordering any other medication. Speak with your pharmacy to get started; most human pharmacies also provide this service by request.
Sometimes, compounded medications for pets do come at a premium. But for the most part, you’ll find that compounded medications are just about on par with standard commercial medicines. The peace of mind and healing achieved through a tailor-made medication is well-worth any slight increase in price. To your companion, be it dog or cat, the interactions you have with them mean everything. When those interactions are negative due to medications, it affects your pets bond with you and may even hamper their ability to heal.