Epilepsy medication

hoopla87

Hi guys, so my dogs usual medication is now discontinued - epileaze 1000mg and my vet has sourced a new drug - libromide 325mg but this means she now has to take 3 tabs instead of one and the price has also nearly tripled. Has anyone used a U.K. or EU prescription med dispenser? As It would cut my cost in half and I’m on a knifes edge at the min. I need to get her meds cheaper or else I don’t think I can afford them

tk123

I used petdrugsonline.co.uk along with parcel wizard for postage and saved €130 for my dogs thyroid medicine. They’ll let you upload a scan/copy of the prescription

hoopla87

tk123 wrote: »

I used petdrugsonline.co.uk along with parcel wizard for postage and saved €130 for my dogs thyroid medicine. They’ll let you upload a scan/copy of the prescription

Wow that’s a huge saving! How was your vet with giving you the script??

tk123

hoopla87 wrote: »

Wow that’s a huge saving! How was your vet with giving you the script??

She was fine - similar to your situation the brand we used to get was discontinued and the new one was over €1 per tablet. I asked if I could maybe buy in bulk from them and she said she’d just give the prescription.

hoopla87

tk123 wrote: »

She was fine - similar to your situation the brand we used to get was discontinued and the new one was over €1 per tablet. I asked if I could maybe buy in bulk from them and she said she’d just give the prescription.

Thanks for your input. Just hope the vet doesn’t charge much for writing the prescription. It seems I’d save quite a lot buying through that site.

heldel00

Dog with epilepsy here too. The discontinuation of epilease was a major headache for us. Surprised you've been able to get it at all recently.

Anyway ask your vet to write you a script for phenobarbital. This is the human version of the doggie epilepsy medication and is a fraction of the price. You may have to push them for it because they are encouraged to prescribe the canine version.
My local pharmacy gives it to me no problem.
(They also supply animal medicines so maybe you will need to find a similiar pharmacy.)

hoopla87

heldel00 wrote: »

Dog with epilepsy here too. The discontinuation of epilease was a major headache for us. Surprised you've been able to get it at all recently.

Anyway ask your vet to write you a script for phenobarbital. This is the human version of the doggie epilepsy medication and is a fraction of the price. You may have to push them for it because they are encouraged to prescribe the canine version.
My local pharmacy gives it to me no problem.
(They also supply animal medicines so maybe you will need to find a similiar pharmacy.)

My doggo is on phenobarbital too but the cost of that has been fine it’s the libromine that’s so expensive compared to epilease. Can save €600-700 a year online. Think my vet had stacked up on the epilease because it started getting harder and harder to get the 1000mg version. At one point had to give her 10 x 100mg tab per day!!! Ridiculous. Thanks for the tip about the chemist my own one is actually the animal specialist in the town and I never thought about pricing there!

omicron

heldel00 wrote: »

Dog with epilepsy here too. The discontinuation of epilease was a major headache for us. Surprised you've been able to get it at all recently.

Anyway ask your vet to write you a script for phenobarbital. This is the human version of the doggie epilepsy medication and is a fraction of the price. You may have to push them for it because they are encouraged to prescribe the canine version.
My local pharmacy gives it to me no problem.
(They also supply animal medicines so maybe you will need to find a similiar pharmacy.)

Not encouraged, it is illegal to prescribe a human medication for an animal where a veterinary equivalent is available.

It is also illegal to write a prescription knowing that it will be used to import a drug from another country.

And it is also illegal to import the meds from another country.

So if you get a script try to source it from a pharmacy in Ireland.

hoopla87

omicron wrote: »

And it is also illegal to import the meds from another country.

So if you get a script try to source it from a pharmacy in Ireland.

Well a half over trip to enniskillen will do for me then. No problem.

Fakediamond

I’ve seen threads on here on the success of using cbd oil for dogs with epilepsy. I’ve no experience on this but maybe you could have a look for the threads and get some info.

hoopla87

Fakediamond wrote: »

I’ve seen threads on here on the success of using cbd oil for dogs with epilepsy. I’ve no experience on this but maybe you could have a look for the threads and get some info.

Thanks so much for that! I didn’t even know you could buy it here but it’s even grown in Wicklow and doesn’t appear to have any negative effects! I’ve been worried about increasing her phenobarbital because of the effects on liver/kidney and her being doped up all the time besides the price increase so this looks like a miracle to be honest. Will be asking my vet about weaning off the meds and onto cbd oil

cocker5

hoopla87 wrote: »

Fakediamond wrote: »

I’ve seen threads on here on the success of using cbd oil for dogs with epilepsy. I’ve no experience on this but maybe you could have a look for the threads and get some info.

Thanks so much for that! I didn’t even know you could buy it here but it’s even grown in Wicklow and doesn’t appear to have any negative effects! I’ve been worried about increasing her phenobarbital because of the effects on liver/kidney and her being doped up all the time besides the price increase so this looks like a miracle to be honest. Will be asking my vet about weaning off the meds and onto cbd oil

Just a word of caution .. most vets in Ireland don’t agree with holistic methods such as CDB oil so expect your vet to say no.. try and find a holistic vet

hoopla87

cocker5 wrote: »

Just a word of caution .. most vets in Ireland don’t agree with holistic methods such as CDB oil so expect your vet to say no.. try and find a holistic vet

Surely if I’m telling a vet I’m stopping medication and trialing cbd oil they have a duty of care towards my dog, it would be unethical for them not to advise me on weaning her off the meds. I have a good relationship with my vet anyway so hopefully it won’t be an issue. They’ve had roughly 5000 off me this year anyway (splenectomy, recovery diet, implant in knee, epilepsy meds, blood work, bladder infection, 2 x kidney infections, call outs to administer Valium in dead of night, etc) I think she’d understand

cocker5

hoopla87 wrote: »

cocker5 wrote: »

Just a word of caution .. most vets in Ireland don’t agree with holistic methods such as CDB oil so expect your vet to say no.. try and find a holistic vet

Surely if I’m telling a vet I’m stopping medication and trialing cbd oil they have a duty of care towards my dog, it would be unethical for them not to advise me on weaning her off the meds. I have a good relationship with my vet anyway so hopefully it won’t be an issue. They’ve had roughly 5000 off me this year anyway (splenectomy, recovery diet, implant in knee, epilepsy meds, blood work, bladder infection, 2 x kidney infections, call outs to administer Valium in dead of night, etc) I think she’d understand

I’m just speaking from experience OP (am based in north Wicklow) while my dog does not have the same condition but two others whom I treat 100% holistically - my vet wants him medicated with anti inflammatory which damage his kidneys / liver ... she is not supportive of holistic methods or the fact I feee RAW... or CBD oil (it’s not a licensed drug or trialed here in Ireland)... I also give my guy CBD oil for pain management..

all I’m Doing is advising you don’t be surprised if your vet doesn’t support your move .. that’s all. I’m not saying your wrong or anything like that but alot of vets in Ireland aren’t holistic minded .. if you do find one let me know and I’d be happy to move my guy there .. I have a good relationship with my vet also .. as my guy is 13.5 we too are spending huge money with her each year .. and while she agrees I’m trying to look after him the best I can .. she does not agree with the methods .. I’m
Just giving you the heads up that’s all.. your dog your choice

Good quality CBD oil is also expensive

Best of luck - let us know how you get on

hoopla87

cocker5 wrote: »

I’m just speaking from experience OP (am based in north Wicklow) while my dog does not have the same condition but two others whom I treat 100% holistically - my vet wants him medicated with anti inflammatory which damage his kidneys / liver ... she is not supportive of holistic methods or the fact I feee RAW... or CBD oil (it’s not a licensed drug or trialed here in Ireland)... I also give my guy CBD oil for pain management..

all I’m Doing is advising you don’t be surprised if your vet doesn’t support your move .. that’s all. I’m not saying your wrong or anything like that but alot of vets in Ireland aren’t holistic minded .. if you do find one let me know and I’d be happy to move my guy there .. I have a good relationship with my vet also .. as my guy is 13.5 we too are spending huge money with her each year .. and while she agrees I’m trying to look after him the best I can .. she does not agree with the methods .. I’m
Just giving you the heads up that’s all.. your dog your choice

Good quality CBD oil is also expensive

Best of luck - let us know how you get on

Oh I understand that I wasn’t being snarky, advice is always welcome and appreciated I just hope she’s not difficult about it. With regards pricing is there a huge difference between quality of say Holland and Barrett’s version to hempture? I mean if they’re the same %/vol shouldn’t they have the same effect?

Fakediamond

Did you search the thread on cbd for dogs on boards? I can’t copy the link but there’s loads on info on there. They mention a shop called the hemp store on capel street, maybe you could ring them for a chat about different brands/strengths/prices? I think they ship as well.

hoopla87

Fakediamond wrote: »

Did you search the thread on cbd for dogs on boards? I can’t copy the link but there’s loads on info on there. They mention a shop called the hemp store on capel street, maybe you could ring them for a chat about different brands/strengths/prices? I think they ship as well.

I’m in Sligo so it’s literally Holland and Barrett or ordering online. Will do as u suggest and go on thread you mention and see what they say regarding different brands.

tk123

hoopla87 wrote: »

Surely if I’m telling a vet I’m stopping medication and trialing cbd oil they have a duty of care towards my dog, it would be unethical for them not to advise me on weaning her off the meds. I have a good relationship with my vet anyway so hopefully it won’t be an issue. They’ve had roughly 5000 off me this year anyway (splenectomy, recovery diet, implant in knee, epilepsy meds, blood work, bladder infection, 2 x kidney infections, call outs to administer Valium in dead of night, etc) I think she’d understand

Yeah I'd agree with you. The vets I go to are holistic without being branded as holistic vets.... I'd assume 99.9999% of vets are these days by the nature of their profession and the fact that we have the internet, social media etc to share ideas and experiences with different things.
I guess in your case you'd need to wean onto the cbd and then wean off the other medicine so ask for that prescription anyways lol The cbd can take weeks to build up for pain relief anyways. I don't use it anymore as it made no difference but the one I had was from CBD Brothers in the UK as I'd read good reviews

hoopla87

tk123 wrote: »

Yeah I'd agree with you. The vets I go to are holistic without being branded as holistic vets.... I'd assume 99.9999% of vets are these days by the nature of their profession and the fact that we have the internet, social media etc to share ideas and experiences with different things.
I guess in your case you'd need to wean onto the cbd and then wean off the other medicine so ask for that prescription anyways lol The cbd can take weeks to build up for pain relief anyways. I don't use it anymore as it made no difference but the one I had was from CBD Brothers in the UK as I'd read good reviews

Definitely asking for the script even if weaning off the meds. Even with getting those meds at nearly 1/3 of price I’m still paying out €80 per month just for the tablets.
If the cbd from Holland and Barrett works that would only cost 35 per month once she’s been weaned off the others and I wouldn’t have her liver and kidneys to worry about or have all the blood work done so often.

cocker5

hoopla87 wrote: »

cocker5 wrote: »

I’m just speaking from experience OP (am based in north Wicklow) while my dog does not have the same condition but two others whom I treat 100% holistically - my vet wants him medicated with anti inflammatory which damage his kidneys / liver ... she is not supportive of holistic methods or the fact I feee RAW... or CBD oil (it’s not a licensed drug or trialed here in Ireland)... I also give my guy CBD oil for pain management..

all I’m Doing is advising you don’t be surprised if your vet doesn’t support your move .. that’s all. I’m not saying your wrong or anything like that but alot of vets in Ireland aren’t holistic minded .. if you do find one let me know and I’d be happy to move my guy there .. I have a good relationship with my vet also .. as my guy is 13.5 we too are spending huge money with her each year .. and while she agrees I’m trying to look after him the best I can .. she does not agree with the methods .. I’m
Just giving you the heads up that’s all.. your dog your choice

Good quality CBD oil is also expensive

Best of luck - let us know how you get on

Oh I understand that I wasn’t being snarky, advice is always welcome and appreciated I just hope she’s not difficult about it. With regards pricing is there a huge difference between quality of say Holland and Barrett’s version to hempture? I mean if they’re the same %/vol shouldn’t they have the same effect?

Hmmm I honestly don’t know the answer 100% I order from:

https://www.simply-cbd.co.uk/product-category/oils/

Maybe send them an email or Facebook pm and ask them for advice with regards to epilepsy?

hoopla87

cocker5 wrote: »

Hmmm I honestly don’t know the answer 100% I order from:

https://www.simply-cbd.co.uk/product-category/oils/

Maybe send them an email or Facebook pm and ask them for advice with regards to epilepsy?

ooh thanks for that! from a variety of websites i've worked out that my girl would need approx 30mg per day which would cost a fifth of what im paying for her meds and i wouldn't have to worry about her liver and kidneys. i guess because the medical studies havent been done yet it just adds to all the cryptic half information about.


Edit: I’ve bitten the bullet and ordered 2 bottles from Holland and Barrett, will talk to vet about it when it arrives

kathleen37

Hi Hoopla,

Thanks for your post on the other thread.

It took a good few weeks for the oil to build up enough to start working in our cat, and I'm wondering whether it would be an idea for you to continue with your meds, as well as using the oil? Then, if the oil works on your pup, start to reduce the meds then.

Our cat never started on pheno - I was concerned about her age and her liver which is why I tried the cbd. I'd just be concerned about anyone stopping meds without support from their vet. Are the meds currently fully controlling the epilepsy? Our vet was fine with us trying the cbd as they had the same concerns about the pheno with Jills age. Hopefully your vet will be as supportive.

Good luck with your pup. I hope you have as great a success as we had. It makes such a difference

Take care

hoopla87

kathleen37 wrote: »

Hi Hoopla,

Thanks for your post on the other thread.

It took a good few weeks for the oil to build up enough to start working in our cat, and I'm wondering whether it would be an idea for you to continue with your meds, as well as using the oil? Then, if the oil works on your pup, start to reduce the meds then.

Our cat never started on pheno - I was concerned about her age and her liver which is why I tried the cbd. I'd just be concerned about anyone stopping meds without support from their vet. Are the meds currently fully controlling the epilepsy? Our vet was fine with us trying the cbd as they had the same concerns about the pheno with Jills age. Hopefully your vet will be as supportive.

Good luck with your pup. I hope you have as great a success as we had. It makes such a difference

Take care

Thanks for the reply, unfortunately the pheno never fully controlled the seizures and even the addition of potassium bromide she still gets cluster seizures every two weeks. Like I suggest I hope to gradually wean her off the meds as I’m introducing the cbd. I just feel like she’s already taking too much pills and she’s now the seizures are getting closer together so I’m sure the vet would be suggesting an increase in dosage again and she’s getting an increasing amount of kidney infections so I’m just not comfortable with it and willing to try cbd as there are so many good news stories

kathleen37

Yeah- if the drugs aren't working, then it doesn't make sense to raise the dose with the organ risks.

Like I said, I hope your pup really responds well to the cbd. I honestly couldn't believe it with kitty.

I hope @the heathen is about to give an update?