7 Pet Drugs You Can Get Cheaper Online
pet medications
When your furry companions aren't feeling well, you're likely going to quickly take them to the vet. Unfortunately, just like with humans, this can be an expensive process. Veterinarians tend to be expensive — and while some people have pet insurance, not everyone does. It's pretty common for vet bills to top $1,000. That's especially true for surprise emergency visits.
And that's before medication.
But a pet isn't just a pet — they're family. If you're told that your pet needs medication, but you can't afford it, what are you supposed to do? For many Americans, that's a hard choice that they're forced to make.
But they shouldn't have to — and luckily, with NorthWestPharmacy.com, they might not have to.
Why is Pet Medication So Expensive?
Just like medicine for humans, pet medication is expensive. Often, this is because pet medication is often the same as human medication — while the dose and delivery method might be different, the chemical is fundamentally the same.
And as you can imagine, the big pharmaceutical companies aren't going to give you a big discount just because the medication is for fido and not you.
There are other economic reasons why pet medications are expensive, though, and many of them don't have anything to do with greed.
Most veterinarians aren't making money hand-over-fist. Vet school in the United States costs, on average, more than $200,000. For the record, that's about the same as medical school. And while the average physician makes $313,000 a year, the average vet is paid $96,952 per year.
Often, veterinarian clinics will have similar overhead, too — they have to pay for a building, insurance, support staff, and so on. They also need expensive medical equipment (and many of the things they need are just as expensive as their human equivalents), and they need to have certain medications in stock all the time.
All of this means that most vets simply don't have the cash to bulk buy medication for their patients.
All of this adds up — and if they ate that cost, they'd likely have to close up shop. This means that when you buy medication from your vet, you're often spending way more than you would if you bought those same medications online.
The good news, however, is that NorthWestPharmacy.com sells pet medication online, right alongside our other medications.
Here are just some of the many medications that you can save on by going with NorthWestPharmacy.com:
Flovent HFA Inhaler
Flovent (or fluticasone propionate) belongs to a family of medications known as inhaled corticosteroids. In humans, it's used to prevent asthma attacks and help reduce asthma symptoms. It's one of the most prescribed medications in the United States.
The "HFA inhaler" part of the name specifically refers to the device that delivers the medication. In 2008, the FDA started to phase out inhalers that used a CFC-based propellant. This was done due to fear over the damage CFCs caused the environment. Unfortunately, the switch to HFA-inhalers was an opportunity for drug companies to patent new delivery mechanisms and raise the costs of inhalers. You can read more about this in our article on why asthma inhalers are so expensive.
But wait — aren't these all for humans?
They are, sort of. Yet, Flovent HFA inhalers are also used for other animals, too. Both dogs and cats can suffer from bronchitis and asthma — so this medication is used for them, too.
How Much Does a Flovent HFA Inhaler for Pets Cost?
On average, in the United States, a 44mcg, 120 dose Flovent HFA inhaler costs $235.00.
For a 44mcg, 120 dose Flovent HFA inhaler, it costs $32.00 from NorthWestPharmacy.com.
Ventolin HFA Inhaler
Ventolin, or salbutamol (or albuterol), is a short-acting beta2 adrenergic receptor agonist. It works as a smooth muscle relaxer, meaning that it can help open the lungs during an asthma attack. It's used in humans to treat COPD, exercise-induced asthma, as well as a few other lung conditions.
Just like with Flovent, the "HFA inhaler" part of the name refers to the type of inhaler that the medication is delivered with.
Ventolin is one of the most widely prescribed medications in the United States.
It is also commonly used in animals, especially cats and dogs. Sometimes, it is sold under the brands Proventil or Volmax, in addition to Ventolin.
How Much Does a Ventolin HFA Inhaler for Pets Cost?
On average, in the United States, a 90mcg, 200 dose Ventolin HFA inhaler costs $45.00.
For a 100mcg, 120 dose Ventolin HFA inhaler, it costs $19.79 from NorthWestPharmacy.com.
Vetmedin
Vetmedin, or pimobendan/pimobendane is a calcium sensitizer and a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 3. It is a vasodilator.
It is typically used to manage congestive heart failure in dogs.
In dogs, congestive heart failure is typically caused by atrioventricular valvular insufficiency (AVVI) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Most dog owners are unaware that their dog is experiencing any issues until later in the disease's progression. Often, it's diagnosed during a normal vet visit — or when a pet is acting unusually lethargic.
Vetmedin can improve your dog's quality of life.
How Much Does Vetmedin Cost?
On average, in the United States, Vetmedin costs around $47.79 for 50 1.25mg tablets.
Vetmedin costs $44.19 for 60 1.25mcg tablets through NorthWestPharmacy.com.
Apoquel
Apoquel (oclacitinib) is a selective Janus Kinase inhibitor that works primarily on the JAK-1 and JAK-3 enzymes. By doing so, it helps downregulate the creation of inflammatory cytokines. This makes it useful for treating atopic dermatitis and pruritus. Typically, this means that it's used in dogs that have bad skin allergies, though it has also been used in dogs with dermatitis caused by flea infestations.
While it has been tested in dogs, it has not been tested in cats — although some vets have used it off-label.
How Much Does Apoquel Cost?
Apoquel's pricing is done per pill and by strength in most of the United States. At NorthWestPharmacy.com, they are sold in various packet sizes.
In the United States, on average:
- 3.6mg: $2.29/pill ($45.08 for 20)
- 5.4mg: $2.29/pill ($45.08 for 20)
- 16mg: $2.29/pill ($45.08 for 20)
Through NorthWestPharmcy.com:
- 3.6mg: $1.72/pill ($34.49 for 20)
- 5.4mg: $1.70/pill ($101.89 for 60)
- 16mg: $2.42/pill ($48.49 for 20)
Colcrys
Colcrys (colchicine) is a fascinating medication that has actually been used for thousands of years. There are records of it being used (in the form of crushed up autumn crocus bulbs) in 1500 BC to treat swelling by the ancient Greeks.
Today, in humans, it's most frequently used to treat Gout, although it's also used to treat Behçet's disease.
In animals, it is commonly used to treat amyloidosis and Shar-Pei fever. It's also been used to treat chronic scarring of the liver. In birds, specifically, it has been used to treat hyperuricemia.
If you've heard of Colcrys before, there's a good chance it was due to the Unapproved Drugs Initiative in 2006 that had the accidental effect of increasing the drug's price 2,000%. No, that isn't a type — 2,000%.
So, how did a drug that's older than most nations get its price increased so much? The Unapproved Drugs Initiative sought more rigorous testing for drugs, which meant that certain companies gained licenses for niche medications like Colcrys. These companies then submitted New Drug Applications — granting them the rights over the drugs, provided they went through with the additional testing that the FDA had requested as part of the initiative.
The end result gave these individuals companies monopolistic control over drugs like Colcrys.
This, in turn, allowed them to massively increase the cost of the drug, from $.09 per tablet to $4.85 per tablet.
How Much Does Colcrys for Pets Cost?
On average, in the United States, Colcrys costs around $180.00 for 100 0.6mg tablets.
Colcrys costs $59.99 for 100 0.6mg tablets through NorthWestPharmacy.com.
Azopt Eye Drops
Azopt (brinzolamide) is a drug used to lower the intraocular pressure in humans with glaucoma.
Glaucoma, if left untreated, can lead to blindness. Often, it comes on without pain. This is one of the reasons why getting regular eye exams is so important. The same isn't just true for humans, however. Dogs also can get glaucoma — and they, too, can go blind. This is why vets will check your dog's eyes during a routine appointment. If the pressure isn't brought under control, irreversible eye damage can occur.
If a dog's ocular pressure is too high, Azopt can help lower it.
How Much Does Azopt for Pets Cost?
On average, in the United States, Azopt costs around $390.00 for a 1% dosage formulation in a 10mL bottle.
Azopt costs $28.39 for a 1% dosage formulation in a 5.00 mL bottle through NorthWestPharmacy.com
Bricanyl
Bricanyl (terbutaline sulfate) is a beta2 adrenergic receptor agonist. It's used as a rescue inhaler for asthma symptoms. It's also used as a tocolytic to delay premature labor. It can be given both as a pill and through an inhaler, depending on the reason it is prescribed. In some places, it can also be given as an injection.
It is also used in dogs and cats. Typically, it is used to help them breathe better when they are suffering from various diseases that result in airway obstruction. It's also been used as a treatment for bronchitis and mild heart failure.
How Much Does Bricanyl for Pets Cost?
On average, in the United States, Bricanyl costs $64.50 for 45 2.5mg tablets.
Bricanyl costs $19.79 for 50 2.5mg tablets from NorthWestPharmacy.com
As a note, NorthWestPharmacy.com also carries Bricanyl Turbohaler, at a cost of $34.49 for one inhaler (500mcg / 100 doses).
Get Your Pet's Medications for Cheaper Using NorthWestPharmacy.com
It isn't just human medication that's too expensive — for many Americans, pet medications are out of reach, too. Yet, if you can't afford your veterinarian's prices, there is another option — reaching out to online international pharmacies like NorthWestPharmacy.com.
Not only is NorthWestPharmacy.com reliable, but it's also extremely convenient — we can deliver your pet's exact prescription directly to your door at a fraction of the price.
We don't believe that anyone should have to choose between paying their bills and helping out their furry friends. We also understand that it can be stressful to order your pet's medication from an online pharmacy — especially if this is your first time.
Feel free to read through our frequently asked questions, which may give you answers you're looking for, but if you don't find what you're looking for, don't hesitate to contact us. For your convenience, we have a toll-free phone number: 1-866-539-5330. We're happy to walk you through the ordering process or answer whatever questions you still have.
