Pet medications no longer returnable - Page 1

Our 5 year old dog has a skin infection and was prescribed Cephalexin which I bought from the vet for $24. Cephalexin is a generic name for Keflex; the actual drug is cephalosporin. Cefadroxil is the most commonly prescribed, FDA approved medication used to treat dogs and cats. It is a commonly accepted practice by veterinarians, however, to use other forms of cephalosporin, such as cephalexin, which is not FDA approved for use in dogs and cats.

After the first dose he puked up his dinner and most likely also the meds. The next morning he wouldn't eat his breakfast. Vomiting and anorexia are some of the side effects of Cephalexin.

I took the bottle back to get a different antibiotic. In the past our vet has taken back meds but no more. A new FDA regulation prevents vets from taking back unusable medications. Now he wants the dog to take SMZ/TMP at $25. SMZ/TMP stands for sulfamethoxazole w/Trimethoprim.

The upshot is, I'm out $24 for the unusable Cephalexin and have to spend another $25 for the new antibiotic - which may also cause him grief from side effects.

I compromised with the vet: I bought enough for two days worth of treatment. If it works I'll go get the rest of the stuff. If it doesn't I'm only out $7.50.

We've never had adverse reactions to meds before but this has taught me an expensive lesson. In the future, I'll get just enough of something to test for adverse effects before I spend a bunch of money for something we can't use.

I don't have a problem with the new FDA regulation but it can get very expensive for dog owners if you have to pay your way through 14 days of a medication that may or may not work for your animal until you find one that treats the problem and works for the dog.

http://www.revivalanimal.com/store/p/2445-Fish-Flex.aspx

Cephalexin Monohydrate 250mg  - 30 caps $13.99

Whatever the new antibiotic is perscribed, check here before you buy it
http://www.revivalanimal.com/birds-and-fish.aspx
You might be able to find it at a much reduced price...........

As far as for humans that has been the case for a long time. Basiacally since the tylenol got tampered with in the early 90's I believe.  The problem being is that once the medications leave you have no control of how they were stored, or if they were altered in any way.  It is really just a safty measure

As a means of money saving cephalexin cost $4 at schnucks pharmacy (where I work) it is probably the same at some other pharmacies. it may be worth checking into for certain medications it may save you some money to get the rx filled at the pharmacy

Jeff

I appreciate your responses.

Obviously, I'm not interested in buying cephalexin anywhere at this time because the dog has an adverse reaction to it. I've used revivalanimalhealth and other online suppliers in the past for prescription items. The real issue is that you can't know whether a dog, or a human, has an adverse reaction until you administer the medication, and by that time you've already purchased the entire prescription, either retail or online, and if it doesn't work for the patient, you're stuck with it.

I totally understand the reasoning for not taking back medications. I'm just not fond of spening any amount of money for something I'll ultimately not be able to use. It makes more sense to just buy a small amount, test it out, then ask for a prescription and buy it retail or online.

I found a bottle of Cephalexin (Keflex) 500 MG perscribed for me in 2006.   They were perscribed by a Dermatologist for something I don't even remember.    I wouldn't be taking my dogs Amoxy 500..........didn't realize that such drugs were so interchangeable with the hundes!    Love to learn more about this topic.................Rocket Surgeon Trish