September 26, 2024
When Your Pet Needs a Prescription: Top 5 Compounded Medications for Animals
Have you ever tried to give your pet or animal medication? This can be quite a chore, and it may feel impossible at times with certain animals. You also might have trouble finding the right medication for your pet in terms of size, dose, or strength. A compounding pharmacy can help compound a medication into a pet-friendly dosage form unique to your pet’s needs. Compounding pharmacies also stock flavors like beef, chicken, liver, fish, bacon, and apple, which help entice pets to take their medication.
Be aware that many commercially available oral liquid medications found at a local drugstore contain xylitol, also known as birch sugar or birch bark extract, which is toxic to dogs. If you are using a commercially available form of a liquid medication for your pet, talk to the pharmacist to make sure xylitol is not an ingredient before giving it to your dog. Xylitol can also be found in some peanut butters, breath mints, candies, mouthwash and toothpastes, so it’s always a good idea to check the ingredient list.
Here are five of the most common animal-friendly compounded medications:
1. Methimazole (Trade Name: Felimazole/Tapazole)
- Drug Class: Anti-thyroid used for hyperthyroidism
- Species: Cats, small mammals
Hyperthyroidism is a common condition in cats and has also been seen in small mammals like guinea pigs. Methimazole is considered the drug of choice and is the top-prescribed medication for feline hyperthyroidism. About 90% of cats respond to this therapy.
Compounded dosage forms: Flavored chewable tablets and soft treats, capsules, transdermal gel applied to the hairless portion of the inner ear flap, flavored oral liquid, and oral paste.
2. Pimobendan (Trade Name: Vetmedin)
- Drug Class: Inodilator for heart disease
- Species: Dogs, cats
Pimobendan is primarily used in dogs to treat different types of heart disease and congestive heart failure. It is less commonly used in cats.
Compounded dosage forms: Flavored chewable tablets and soft treats, capsules, and flavored oral liquid.
3. Gabapentin (Trade Name: Neurontin)
- Drug Class: Anticonvulsant; anti-anxiety; nerve pain reliever
- Species: Dogs, cats, birds
Gabapentin is beneficial in cats and dogs for reducing fear responses associated with veterinarian visits, travel, and other forms of anxiety. It is also prescribed for seizures and pain.
Compounded dosage forms: Flavored chewable tablets and soft treats, capsules, and flavored oral liquid.
4. Tacrolimus Eye Drops
- Drug Class: Immune suppressant
- Species: Dogs
Dogs who are diagnosed with dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), can benefit from tacrolimus eye drops or ointments which stimulate tear production. Tacrolimus has also been used to manage pannus, or chronic superficial keratitis (CSK), which is a condition that affects the cornea or clear part of a dog’s eye. There are no human or veterinary-manufactured tacrolimus ophthalmic products available on the market, so you would need to find a compounding pharmacy to obtain this product for your furry friend.
Compounded dosage forms: Eye drops compounded in various oils or water, eye ointments.
5. Buprenorphine (Trade Name: Buprenex, Simbadol, Zorbium)
- Drug Class: Opioid partial agonist for pain
- Species: Dogs, cats, horses, sheep, pigs, ferrets, rabbits/guinea pigs, mice/rodents
Oral buprenorphine is used in many animal species for mild to moderate pain. It is also commonly injected as a pre- or post-anesthetic in a veterinary clinic/hospital. Unlike some other pain medications, oral water-based buprenorphine is described as a “tasteless” or “water-tasting” oral medication that can be squirted into the cheek pouch or under the tongue for easy administration. Although it is typically used for mild or moderate pain and may not be as strong as some other pain medications, buprenorphine can be less sedating and provide longer lasting pain relief.
Compounded dosage forms: Oral liquid, injectable, and topical gel.
Most commercially available medications are not “one size fits all,” especially when it comes to animals. Your pet may require different dose amounts, a different dosage form, or a special flavor or application that makes giving them the medication easier. Work with your veterinarian and your local compounding pharmacy or trusted veterinary compounding pharmacy if you find yourself needing medication for your pet or animal.
By Laura Brown, PharmD, Customer Care Pharmacist Quality Manager, Wedgewood Pharmacy
