In my previous blog regarding new products, I discussed a product called Reconcile and today I want to discuss another new medication called Vetmedin.
Vetmedin (pimobendan) is a medication that is used in dogs for the management of the signs of mild, moderate or severe congestive heart failure due to conditions called atrioventricular valvular insufficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy. Vetmedin treats these conditions by increasing the heart's ability to pump blood. Vetmedin works by opening the blood vessels that take blood away from the heart thereby reducing the work the heart does to pump blood. Vetmedin also opens the blood vessels that return blood to the heart thereby reducing pressure on the heart.
Vetmedin is available in 1.25 and 5mg scored chewable tablets and is FDA approved for use only in dogs 6 months of age or older. It should not be used in humans. The total daily dose should be divided into two portions. The portions should be given 12 hours apart.
Vetmedin does have the potential for side effects such as: loss of appetite, tiredness, diarrhea, labored breathing, weakness, and incoordination. In some cases the pet may develop an allergic reaction with symptoms including facial swelling, hives, scratching, sudden onset of diarrhea, vomiting, shock or seizures. If an allergic reaction should occur, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Vetmedin does interract with other medications and you should consult your veterinarian before using Vetmedin with verapamil, propranolol, theophylline and pentoxyfiline.
There is more information regarding Vetmedin on the 1-800-PetMeds website and the pharmacists on staff areavailable to answer questions as well.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Why Do I Need a Prescription for My Pet's Medication?
Like any other pharmacy, 1-800-PetMeds sells pet supplies and medications that can be either over the counter (OTC), where NO prescription is required or prescription (Rx) where a prescription from the veterinarian IS required.
Examples of OTC medications include flea and tick products such as K-9 Advantix, Frontline TopSpot, Frontline Plus, and Advantage.
Examples of medications that require a prescription include heartworm medications such as Heartgard Plus, Iverhart Plus, Revolution, Interceptor and Sentinel, pain relievers such as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Previcox and Metacam and medications such as Soloxine, methimazole and antibiotics.
I'm often asked the question - "Why do I need a prescription if my vet gives it to me without a prescription?" That's an excellent question and is best answered by comparing the situation to human medications.
When we need to see a doctor, and the doctor determines that we need a medication, a prescription is given to us. We then go to our local drug store and the pharmacist fills the prescription for us. Or, we use a mail order pharmacy, so we mail the prescription away to the mail order pharmacy and a pharmacist fills the prescription and mails it to us.
However, there are doctors that sell prescription medications in their offices. They are allowed to do so because their doctors license allows them to. So instead of giving you a piece of paper (the prescription), you get the medication itself.
The same situation exists in veterinarians offices with the exception that while doctors are used to giving prescriptions to patients to be filled at the drug store, veterinarians are used to having their customers buy from them.
When a vet examines a pet and makes the determination that a prescription medication is necessary to either prevent a disease (such as heartworm medication), treat a condition (such as thyroid medication) or cure a disease (such as antibiotics), the pet owner has the right to fill that prescription at the pharmacy of their choice. They do not have to buy the medication from the veterinarian.
What is meant by "the prescription"? Prescriptions can be written on paper. Prescriptions can be given over the telephone from the vets office to the pharmacy and prescriptions can be transmitted by fax from the vets office to the pharmacy. So when I say the vet should give you a prescription, it can be by either of those means. If you are at the vets office, ask for a written prescription. You can then mail it to us and our pharmacists will process it. Otherwise, we will gladly call or fax your vet in order to fill your prescription need.
Examples of OTC medications include flea and tick products such as K-9 Advantix, Frontline TopSpot, Frontline Plus, and Advantage.
Examples of medications that require a prescription include heartworm medications such as Heartgard Plus, Iverhart Plus, Revolution, Interceptor and Sentinel, pain relievers such as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Previcox and Metacam and medications such as Soloxine, methimazole and antibiotics.
I'm often asked the question - "Why do I need a prescription if my vet gives it to me without a prescription?" That's an excellent question and is best answered by comparing the situation to human medications.
When we need to see a doctor, and the doctor determines that we need a medication, a prescription is given to us. We then go to our local drug store and the pharmacist fills the prescription for us. Or, we use a mail order pharmacy, so we mail the prescription away to the mail order pharmacy and a pharmacist fills the prescription and mails it to us.
However, there are doctors that sell prescription medications in their offices. They are allowed to do so because their doctors license allows them to. So instead of giving you a piece of paper (the prescription), you get the medication itself.
The same situation exists in veterinarians offices with the exception that while doctors are used to giving prescriptions to patients to be filled at the drug store, veterinarians are used to having their customers buy from them.
When a vet examines a pet and makes the determination that a prescription medication is necessary to either prevent a disease (such as heartworm medication), treat a condition (such as thyroid medication) or cure a disease (such as antibiotics), the pet owner has the right to fill that prescription at the pharmacy of their choice. They do not have to buy the medication from the veterinarian.
What is meant by "the prescription"? Prescriptions can be written on paper. Prescriptions can be given over the telephone from the vets office to the pharmacy and prescriptions can be transmitted by fax from the vets office to the pharmacy. So when I say the vet should give you a prescription, it can be by either of those means. If you are at the vets office, ask for a written prescription. You can then mail it to us and our pharmacists will process it. Otherwise, we will gladly call or fax your vet in order to fill your prescription need.
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