15 Common Human Medications Vets Prescribe for Pets — and How to Save on Each
Most pet owners don't realize that the majority of veterinary medications are the exact same drugs used in human medicine. Filling these at a human pharmacy — or getting competing bids on Script Unlock — can save you 60–90%.
Important Safety Note
Never give your pet any medication without a veterinarian's prescription. Dosages for animals differ significantly from human dosages. Some human medications (like ibuprofen and acetaminophen) are toxic to pets. Always follow your vet's instructions.
Human Drugs Commonly Used in Veterinary Medicine
| Drug | Pet Use | Species | Pharmacy Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabapentin | Pain, anxiety, seizures | Dogs, Cats | 70–85% |
| Amoxicillin | Bacterial infections | Dogs, Cats | 70–80% |
| Fluoxetine (Prozac) | Separation anxiety, OCD | Dogs, Cats | 75–85% |
| Prednisone | Inflammation, allergies | Dogs, Cats | 70–80% |
| Omeprazole (Prilosec) | Acid reflux, ulcers | Dogs | 75–85% |
| Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) | Allergies, itching | Dogs | 80–90% |
| Metronidazole (Flagyl) | GI infections, diarrhea | Dogs, Cats | 65–75% |
| Enalapril | Heart disease, hypertension | Dogs | 70–80% |
| Furosemide (Lasix) | Congestive heart failure | Dogs, Cats | 70–80% |
| Doxycycline | Tick-borne diseases, infections | Dogs, Cats | 60–75% |
| Cephalexin (Keflex) | Skin infections, UTIs | Dogs | 65–75% |
| Trazodone | Anxiety, sedation | Dogs | 75–85% |
| Methimazole (Tapazole) | Hyperthyroidism | Cats | 60–75% |
| Phenobarbital | Epilepsy/seizures | Dogs | 65–80% |
| Sucralfate (Carafate) | GI ulcers | Dogs, Cats | 55–70% |
How to Fill a Vet Prescription at a Human Pharmacy
It's simple: ask your vet for a written prescription. Take it to any pharmacy (Costco, CVS, Walmart, independent) or upload it to Script Unlock. The pharmacist fills it just like a human prescription. Many pharmacists are experienced with veterinary prescriptions and will note the patient as your pet's name.
On Script Unlock, pharmacies see that it's a veterinary prescription and bid accordingly. You'll often get bids from both human pharmacies (for standard tablets/capsules) and compounding pharmacies (for flavored or custom formulations).
Get Bids on Your Pet's Prescription
Upload your vet's prescription. Human and compounding pharmacies compete on price.
Upload Vet Prescription