Question about Gabapentin 50mg?!

[Pixie28]

Thank you for all your help. I just called in to my local Lloyd's chemist and they said that they are not allowed to give medicines for animals!

I rung the neurologist and he was really rude, asking why on earth I want to get it elsewhere and what is my problem. This is a different neurologist to the one I saw with Poppy, but at the same clinic.

I am going to ask on the next appointment in two weeks if I can have 100mg's and try and split them.
I think it is the only way!

Thanks

[BrooklynMom]

Out of curiosity, where do you live?

A pharmacy might not think about "drugs for pets", but since this is actually a human drug, all you need is a prescription technically. Maybe try a few more places, explain that you need the human form.

Tough one! Because you shouldn't have to pay that much. It might also be worth a frank discussion with your neuro about costs and how it is too much for you to pay. Maybe you can mention that you have some friends who you know that pay a lot less for the 100mg tablets. You could also ask if you could buy from the pharmacy he gets the meds from directly to save costs. Most neuros/vets will listen if you just talk openly and kindly because it is all about keeping our cavs pain free and if it costs too much to do so, well, that doesn't work for anyone. Especially now that you know we all pay so much less, just tell him you can't afford this dose at this price and ask what he can do to help.
Also ask if he ever links up with human pharmacies or if he could for your sake.

How does your pup go on the 100mg? Is there still scratching/symptoms?

[Margaret C]

Thank you for all your help. I just called in to my local Lloyd's chemist and they said that they are not allowed to give medicines for animals!

I rung the neurologist and he was really rude, asking why on earth I want to get it elsewhere and what is my problem. This is a different neurologist to the one I saw with Poppy, but at the same clinic.

I am going to ask on the next appointment in two weeks if I can have 100mg's and try and split them.
I think it is the only way!

Thanks

I would think it would be obvious what your problem would be, or is your little dog insured and so he cannot see why you object to being ripped off?

My SM cavalier Tommy was on gabapentin until the beginning of this year and I find the price you have been quoted unbelievable.

If you are in the UK you should ask your vet for a private prescription for 100 mg capsules & then split them. A vet cannot refuse to give a private prescription but they can charge you for it ( My vet charges £7 )

Tommy is now on Lyrica ( pregablin ) 75mg twice a day, and as the tablets cost approximately £1.50 whatever the strength, my vet prescribes 150mg capsules which I get from Tesco & cut in half.

Tommy is not insured so it is a considerable saving.

You can buy 100mg tablets gabapentin on-line from Chemist Direct at 25p per tablet, but their delivery times can be unreliable.

Hyperdrug ( Canine Chemist ) were reasonably priced at about £14, and very helpful, but you need to contact them by phone, and Tesco is also usually very good but the price can fluctuate sometimes.

You are welcome to PM me if you want more information.

[Pixie28]

Thank you for all your input.
Have you had any problems with Tesco or any other pharmacies when you give them the prescription? I was asking the pharmacist and as soon as I mentioned it was for a dog, she said, "well now you've told me that, I can't do it for you"
How do I go about getting the tablets from a human pharmacy when it is for a dog?

Also, I did have insurance and it has all gone. It was per condition and all the money went on the MRI etc. I am having to pay for the medication.

Oh and I am in Norwich. I took poppy to Newmarket to have her MRI.

K x

[Pixie28]

And I forgot, in answer to your question, she seems alot brighter since taking the tablets but you can tell she needs them as when 8 hours come, they start to wear off and the scratching starts again. Another thing I found strange is that this other neurologist i spoke to said to cut it down to x2 50mgs a day instead of 3 to save money. I thought they had to be 8 hours apart? X

[BrooklynMom]

Okay...thanks for that additional info. I am in Australia, so I cannot help you on how to deal with the pharmacies over there, but there are a lot of people on here in your area that may be able to give you advice on that and what they did to get their perscriptions. My pharmacist just took the prescription, but I am sure it will be a bit different there considering it is a different country. Call some other places though, maybe try Tesco? And some other pharmacies. Maybe some people from the UK can let you know where they go and you can call those places (either for pick up if they are close to you or for delivery).

If you dog is on 3x per day dosages, and she is doing well, I would not drop it down! But that is just my opinion. That is strange that he said that, but that was not the neuro that saw Poppy first right? Just listen to the one you see all the time. My cav is on 2 x per day, but that is because she is just starting out and has not gone to 3x yet (though, I am noticing her scratching return 2 hours before her next does which is why I am thinking she will have to go up...but we are in trial and error phase with lots of stuff. It is supposed to last for 8 hours, but again, there are others who are much more knowledgeable on this than me who will probably respond and help you.

Keep on eye on here to see what others in the UK do, and keep investigating. It sounds like from others that have responded in the UK area, that you should be able to work this out. Good luck!