Spot was dispensed 50mg more amoxicillin and 75 mg more clavulanic acid per dose than he was prescribed. Clavamox 250mg contains 200-50 (250mg refers to the total of BOTH compounds), while human generics contain 250-125 (250mg refers to amoxicillin content only). Veterinary labelled amoxicillin-clavulanic acid tablets contain the two ingredients in different ratios than human-approved products. How could this interaction put Spot’s health at risk? She informs JD that she doesn’t carry the brand that the vet has prescribed, but will substitute the human generic amoxicillin-clavulanic acid 250 mg tablet. The pharmacist, AB, investigates, and finds that, as the brand name suggests, Clavamox is a veterinary drug containing amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. He requested a prescription from his veterinarian because he heard that it was less expensive at a community pharmacy.
When Mrs KL draws Caninsulin to the “5 units” mark on the BD syringe, Beetle will receive only 40% of the correct insulin dose.Ĭlient JD presents a prescription for his dog, Spot, for Clavamox 250mg tablets. Caninsulin syringes are calibrated to 40 U/mL. Others, like Beetle, use veterinary-only Caninsulin (porcine insulin zinc), which is 40 U/mL.
Many veterinary patients are prescribed human insulin. Pharmacists are accustomed to insulin being 100 U/mL. How could this interaction put Beetle’s health at risk? Based on Beetle’s 5 unit BID dose, MP provides Mrs KL with BD 3/10cc syringes. MP has often dispensed prescriptions from the local vet for both insulin and syringes. She explains that she has run out of her syringes to administer insulin to her beagle, Beetle. Mrs KL approaches pharmacist MP on his Saturday evening shift. The intent of this article is to increase awareness of some of the challenges that pharmacists face as a result of animals being included in this definition. As a veterinary hospital pharmacist, I now recognize how often I incorrectly assumed that I could safely extrapolate my “human” pharmacy knowledge to other species.Īs per the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act, a drug is defined as any substance that is used in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of a disease in humans, animals or fowl. How many times per week are you presented with a prescription for an animal? Or asked questions about purchasing an OTC product for a pet? Can you name two reliable veterinary drug references?ĭuring my 13 years as a community pharmacist, I was frequently asked questions about drug therapy for clients’ pets, and filled many prescriptions for animals.