Sucralfate (Antepsin) for gastric disorders

peter021072

My Vet is trying out this off-label drug to see if it's beneficial for my dog's gastric problems, and I think it's been moderately successful.  The problem it's very expensive when ordered privately.  Has anyone tried this for their pet and found a cheap source?

The human pharmacies do supply it, but only at a ridiculous price  My local pharmacy is quoting £88 minimum for 40 1 gram tablets, but refuse to commit until they get a prescription!  It's similar to what I'm paying directly from my vet which might turn out to be the easiest way. 

This seems to be cheap at first glance but chances are the cost is per pill ! 

https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/medicines/antepsin-1g-tablets

sheramber

I think it is the cost per pill but is still much cheaper than £88.

You  could   them and ask them 

Remeber to add on the cost of a prescription from your vet.

elsien

Will the online pharmacies sell it to you? From a quick google they seem to be asking for a GP prescription or confirmation that you are a professional. 

sheramber

elsien said:

Will the online pharmacies sell it to you? From a quick google they seem to be asking for a GP prescription or confirmation that you are a professional. 

A vet prescription is acceptable. 

I confirmed this with Boots chemist when my dog was prescribed a human medicine that was not available from online pet pharmacies. 

The pharmacy the OP is referring to also have a pet section with the drug listed.

peter021072

I think all the costs quoted so far are way over any practical long term use for affordability, although I think the Vet intends its use as a short period only. 

I found this site called ShopMed which appeared promising (Carafate is Antepson/Sucralfate).  Then I tried to phone, and I got an invalid number.  I also notice a few other sites have the same format of front page with different names.  I suspect it's a dodgy supplier.

sheramber

New website 2024.

No certification shown.

Most of the  links donlt work or go to the same page.

Facebook, twitter, instagram donl't work.

I
Google view shows HIgh Street as residential .

Would'lt touch it.

peter021072

I notice the drug in the US is a small fraction of the price here.  The costs seem to be import costs or excessive mark up.  I wonder what's the situation getting prescription drugs for pets from abroad?

1 g sucralfate oral tablet from $28.33 for 90 tablets

https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/sucralfate

peter021072

sheramber said:

I think it is the cost per pill but is still much cheaper than £88.

You  could   them and ask them 

Remeber to add on the cost of a prescription from your vet.

According to a message reply from them, their page is out of date!  Pharmacy2u is now charging £156.93 for 50 1gram tablets, so more expensive than my local pharmacy, but both are non committal on the price (it can keep changing). 

sheramber

peter021072 said:

I notice the drug in the US is a small fraction of the price here.  The costs seem to be import costs or excessive mark up.  I wonder what's the situation getting prescription drugs for pets from abroad?

1 g sucralfate oral tablet from $28.33 for 90 tablets

https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/sucralfate

You would need to find a pharmacy that would accept a UK prescription and was prepared to export the medicine to UK. 

That website is not a supplier. It is only giving information.

i think they would need a specific export licence to do so.

peter021072

sheramber said:

peter021072 said:

I notice the drug in the US is a small fraction of the price here.  The costs seem to be import costs or excessive mark up.  I wonder what's the situation getting prescription drugs for pets from abroad?

1 g sucralfate oral tablet from $28.33 for 90 tablets

https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/sucralfate

You would need to find a pharmacy that would accept a UK prescription and was prepared to export the medicine to UK. 

That website is not a supplier. It is only giving information.

i think they would need a specific export licence to do so.

I've found a Canadian supplier Canadapharmacyonline  who is prepared to accept the UK vet prescription and supply it to the UK, however what the import rules are (eg customs duties) I've no idea. They will only use drugs manufactured by a Canadian manufacturer for shipping abroad.  So Carafate (the other name for Sucralfate/Antepsin) is 1 USdollar a gram, or 50c / gram for a generic equivalent (38.5p/gram) This is compared with 'a non commital minimum' of £2.20 per gram from my local chemist
However, it will additionally cost $25 international shipping without any commitment to timeframe.

I have a vet's appointment on Monday, so I should know how many he will need long term, although this drug isn't supposed to be used continuously.  It's usually used for stomach ulcers although GERD is another use which seems to be the case with my dog..