Pricey medicine - alternate sources for buying?

[katew888]

We are trying a new anticonvulsant for Wentworth's epilepsy and our neurologist got me a 2 week prescription in order for me to find cheapest source for the medication in the future, assuming his seizures are better during that two weeks. I got the generic form today -  2 weeks worth for $150.  She emailed me and said "I understand that Sam’s or Costco pharmacies may have it for the cheapest price. The other way to obtain it is to order from an online Canadian pharmacy." <---any ideas on how to do this?

We are going to try Levetiracetam (also called Keppra) in addition to his Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide.  Keppra has no side effects, which is great, so fingers crossed that we see some dramatic results with this!

[Rodeos_Mom]

I have had my pup in Keppra for one year. Given he is only 18lbs, the dose was prescribed in liquid form which was impossible to manage, especially for the dose required In The middle of the night. I called everyone I could think of and found an accredited pharmacy (Wellness pharmacy) who was able to purchase the powder from the manufacturer for me. They made capsules with the dose I needed for my pup and life got better! I don't know what I would have done otherwise. Initial purchase of the powder (6 months worth, for 175mg x 3 per day) was about $150. Monthly doses  of 90 capsule costs about $35. The same stuff in liquid form was going to,cost me $100 a month at Walgreens. Wellness will ship anywhere too. This was much less costly and solved my problem. My pup is also on phenobarbital, but after 14 months of no seizures, we are almost done weaning him off that. keppra will be weaned next.  It's been a wild ride! Good luck to all of you!

[katew888]

Oh, yes, I get Wentworth's Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide from Walgreens!  My neurologist and regular vet are happy to call it in, they are fully aware of the higher cost at their clinics.  I can't imagine if I'd even considered this new prescription, Keppra, from the vet over the regular pharmacy!

I'll put in some major research on the Canadian pharmacies, as well as checking with other cheap-o pharmacies (Wal-Mart, Costco, Sams...any other suggestions??) this weekend.  Thank you, Ginger, for doing that quicky google search for me!

Jaybay, so far so good (terribly sorry to hear about your nephew's seizures).  I have noticed more lethargy than usual, and he was pretty drooly the first day.  It's only been 3 days, but it has been 3 seizure free days, which I cannot complain about.  He had a cluster day this past weekend, with 13 seizures, and I think I might have gone overboard with his Phenobarbital, because he has been a clumsy little man since.  That should taper off as it leaves his system, and I'll be able to see more clearly what other effects Keppra is having on him.  I'll keep you posted!

Kate

[ginger899]

When I went to collect my mother's prescription from the pharmacy about a month ago, I was waiting for the meds, and another woman came in asking the pharmacist if he stocked a particular veterinary medicine (I've forgotten which one she said now. It might have been Arthritis medication) -and how much he charged for it. He quoted a price which was lower than the price she was paying at the vet's. So she made arrangements to buy it from him.
This was new to me because firstly I had no idea you could buy vet meds at the pharmacy! And secondly I would have thought you would need to show the vet's prescription (which she didn't) But it seemed like she knew him, they seemed friendly.
I don't know if this is generally so, or not. Or maybe it was only that particular pharmacy that stocked those things (?)

[Jaybay]

Thanks for the great research Ginger.  I confess, I have no idea what foreign companies are good or not when it comes to pet meds since I've always obtained mine from our vet.

Kate - will you please let us know how Wentworth does with the keppra?  My nephew has fairly severe epilepsy and keppra never seemed to help so they're weaning him off it now.  What it DID do was send him out into the ozone and turn him into a drooling idiot, and he still had daily multiple seizures.  I have no idea what kind of side effects, if any, occur in dogs with this medication.  Have you posted this over on the Ask a Vet board here at Med Help yet?  Aside of giving you more informed answers than I can, Dr. Cheng in particular can probably offer some holistic herbal things to try as well.  Keep us posted and thanks for being such a great dog Mom!  :-)

[ginger899]

I thought I'd google this to see what happened. Quite a few (what appear to be reputable) companies you could buy from online came up, but in the sponsored ads at the side, and just above the search results. Now, because I'm in UK, these were all UK companies, so I'm thinking if you did it, you may get US or Canadian companies, depending where exactly you live.
I googled "low cost pet medications Canada"

You absolutely do have to find a reputable company however. I found this article on articlesbase.com by Trevor Price, which seems to give some good advice: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/ways-to-identify-low-cost-veterinary-prescriptions-for-your-pet-595129.html

I hope it is of some help?  Ginger.