Medicines for cats: what is different and what to know
Checked against our pet medication guides: October 2026
Short answer
Cats process many medicines differently from dogs and people, so doses, forms and dangers differ. Acetaminophen and dog flea products containing permethrin can kill a cat, and anti-inflammatories need special care. Of the 27 medicines in our guides that are used in cats, 25 can be filled at a regular pharmacy on your vet’s prescription, and many come as liquids, chewables or gels rubbed on the ear for cats that will not take pills.
Why cats are different
Cats have less of some liver enzymes that people and dogs use to break down medicines, a process called glucuronidation. Drugs that rely on it, such as acetaminophen and aspirin, build up to toxic levels in cats, which is why acetaminophen is never given to cats and why medicines like aspirin, if used at all, are dosed far less often than for dogs. Cats are also small, so a tablet made for a person can be many times the right dose.
Anti-inflammatories need particular care. Meloxicam carries a US warning that repeated use in cats has been linked to kidney failure and death, so vets use it sparingly, and some anti-inflammatories are approved for cats only for a few days at a time. Cats also hide illness well, so a change in appetite, drinking, grooming or litter habits is worth reporting while your cat takes any new medicine.
Medicines commonly prescribed for cats
- Amantadinegeneric amantadine (human)Capsules (human); Tablets (human)Regular pharmacy: Yes
- Amoxicillin-clavulanateClavamox (veterinary), Augmentin (human)Tablets (veterinary and human); Oral suspension (veterinary drops and human liquid)Regular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- Benazepril and enalaprilFortekor (benazepril, veterinary), Enacard (enalapril, veterinary)Tablets (human and veterinary); Compounded flavoured liquids and small capsules for catsRegular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- CephalexinRilexine (veterinary), Keflex (human)Capsules (human); Tablets (human)Regular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- ClomipramineClomicalm (veterinary), Anafranil (human)Tablets (Clomicalm, veterinary); Capsules (human generic)Regular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- CyclosporineAtopica (veterinary), Optimmune (eye ointment, veterinary)Capsules (veterinary and human modified); Oral solution (veterinary and human)Regular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- Doxycyclinegeneric doxycycline (human)Capsules and tablets (hyclate or monohydrate); Oral suspension (human)Regular pharmacy: Yes
- Famotidine and omeprazolePepcid (famotidine, human), Prilosec (omeprazole, human)Tablets (famotidine, prescription and over the counter); Delayed-release capsules and tablets (omeprazole, prescription and over the counter)Regular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- FluoxetineReconcile (veterinary), Prozac (human)Capsules and tablets (human); Chewable tablets (Reconcile, veterinary)Regular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- FurosemideSalix, Lasix (veterinary and human), generic furosemideTablets (human and veterinary); Oral solution (human)Regular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- GabapentinNeurontin (human), generic gabapentinCapsules; TabletsRegular pharmacy: Yes
- Insulin for diabetic petsVetsulin (porcine, veterinary), ProZinc (veterinary)Vials (veterinary and human); Pens and cartridges (veterinary and human)Regular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- LevetiracetamKeppra (human), generic levetiracetamImmediate-release tablets; Extended-release tabletsRegular pharmacy: Yes
- Maropitant (Cerenia)CereniaTablets; Injection (clinic use)Regular pharmacy: No, veterinary product
- MeloxicamMetacam (veterinary), Loxicom, Meloxidyl (veterinary generics)Oral suspension with dosing syringe (veterinary); Chewable tablets (veterinary, some markets)Regular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- MethimazoleFelimazole (veterinary), Tapazole (human)Tablets (veterinary and human); Compounded transdermal gel (ear)Regular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- MetronidazoleFlagyl (human), generic metronidazoleTablets (human); Capsules (human)Regular pharmacy: Yes
- MirtazapineMirataz (transdermal ointment, veterinary), Remeron (human)Transdermal ointment (Mirataz, veterinary); Tablets and orally disintegrating tablets (human)Regular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- OndansetronZofran (human), generic ondansetronTablets (human); Orally disintegrating tablets (human; check sweeteners)Regular pharmacy: Yes
- Phenobarbitalgeneric phenobarbitalTablets (human); Oral elixir (human; contains alcohol)Regular pharmacy: Yes
- Pimobendan (Vetmedin)Vetmedin, Vetmedin-CA1Chewable tablets; Capsules (some veterinary generics)Regular pharmacy: No, veterinary product
- Prednisone and prednisolonegeneric prednisone, generic prednisoloneTablets (human prednisone and prednisolone); Oral solutions (human; check sweeteners)Regular pharmacy: Yes
- TelmisartanSemintra (veterinary), Micardis (human)Oral solution (Semintra, veterinary); Tablets (human)Regular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- TramadolUltram (human), generic tramadolTablets (human); Compounded capsules and flavoured liquids for cats and small dogsRegular pharmacy: Yes
- TrazodoneDesyrel (human, discontinued), generic trazodoneTablets; Compounded suspensions and small capsules for cats and small dogsRegular pharmacy: Yes
- UrsodiolActigall, Urso (human), generic ursodiolCapsules (human); Tablets (human)Regular pharmacy: Yes
- ZonisamideZonegran (human), generic zonisamideCapsules (human); Compounded liquids and small capsules for cats and small dogsRegular pharmacy: Yes
| Medicine | Common forms | Regular pharmacy can fill? |
|---|---|---|
| Amantadinegeneric amantadine (human) | Capsules (human); Tablets (human) | Yes |
| Amoxicillin-clavulanateClavamox (veterinary), Augmentin (human) | Tablets (veterinary and human); Oral suspension (veterinary drops and human liquid) | Yes, as the human version |
| Benazepril and enalaprilFortekor (benazepril, veterinary), Enacard (enalapril, veterinary) | Tablets (human and veterinary); Compounded flavoured liquids and small capsules for cats | Yes, as the human version |
| CephalexinRilexine (veterinary), Keflex (human) | Capsules (human); Tablets (human) | Yes, as the human version |
| ClomipramineClomicalm (veterinary), Anafranil (human) | Tablets (Clomicalm, veterinary); Capsules (human generic) | Yes, as the human version |
| CyclosporineAtopica (veterinary), Optimmune (eye ointment, veterinary) | Capsules (veterinary and human modified); Oral solution (veterinary and human) | Yes, as the human version |
| Doxycyclinegeneric doxycycline (human) | Capsules and tablets (hyclate or monohydrate); Oral suspension (human) | Yes |
| Famotidine and omeprazolePepcid (famotidine, human), Prilosec (omeprazole, human) | Tablets (famotidine, prescription and over the counter); Delayed-release capsules and tablets (omeprazole, prescription and over the counter) | Yes, as the human version |
| FluoxetineReconcile (veterinary), Prozac (human) | Capsules and tablets (human); Chewable tablets (Reconcile, veterinary) | Yes, as the human version |
| FurosemideSalix, Lasix (veterinary and human), generic furosemide | Tablets (human and veterinary); Oral solution (human) | Yes, as the human version |
| GabapentinNeurontin (human), generic gabapentin | Capsules; Tablets | Yes |
| Insulin for diabetic petsVetsulin (porcine, veterinary), ProZinc (veterinary) | Vials (veterinary and human); Pens and cartridges (veterinary and human) | Yes, as the human version |
| LevetiracetamKeppra (human), generic levetiracetam | Immediate-release tablets; Extended-release tablets | Yes |
| Maropitant (Cerenia)Cerenia | Tablets; Injection (clinic use) | No, veterinary product |
| MeloxicamMetacam (veterinary), Loxicom, Meloxidyl (veterinary generics) | Oral suspension with dosing syringe (veterinary); Chewable tablets (veterinary, some markets) | Yes, as the human version |
| MethimazoleFelimazole (veterinary), Tapazole (human) | Tablets (veterinary and human); Compounded transdermal gel (ear) | Yes, as the human version |
| MetronidazoleFlagyl (human), generic metronidazole | Tablets (human); Capsules (human) | Yes |
| MirtazapineMirataz (transdermal ointment, veterinary), Remeron (human) | Transdermal ointment (Mirataz, veterinary); Tablets and orally disintegrating tablets (human) | Yes, as the human version |
| OndansetronZofran (human), generic ondansetron | Tablets (human); Orally disintegrating tablets (human; check sweeteners) | Yes |
| Phenobarbitalgeneric phenobarbital | Tablets (human); Oral elixir (human; contains alcohol) | Yes |
| Pimobendan (Vetmedin)Vetmedin, Vetmedin-CA1 | Chewable tablets; Capsules (some veterinary generics) | No, veterinary product |
| Prednisone and prednisolonegeneric prednisone, generic prednisolone | Tablets (human prednisone and prednisolone); Oral solutions (human; check sweeteners) | Yes |
| TelmisartanSemintra (veterinary), Micardis (human) | Oral solution (Semintra, veterinary); Tablets (human) | Yes, as the human version |
| TramadolUltram (human), generic tramadol | Tablets (human); Compounded capsules and flavoured liquids for cats and small dogs | Yes |
| TrazodoneDesyrel (human, discontinued), generic trazodone | Tablets; Compounded suspensions and small capsules for cats and small dogs | Yes |
| UrsodiolActigall, Urso (human), generic ursodiol | Capsules (human); Tablets (human) | Yes |
| ZonisamideZonegran (human), generic zonisamide | Capsules (human); Compounded liquids and small capsules for cats and small dogs | Yes |
Giving medicine to a cat
- Follow every pill or capsule with a little water or a small treat. Some medicines, including doxycycline and clindamycin, can lodge in a cat’s esophagus and cause painful narrowing.
- Ask about other forms: many cat medicines come as liquids, chewables or flavored compounded treats, and methimazole and mirtazapine can be given as a gel or ointment rubbed on the inside of the ear.
- Wear gloves for ear gels and wash your hands afterward; pregnant people should not handle methimazole without gloves.
- Keep giving long-term medicines on schedule even when your cat seems well, and keep the follow-up blood tests your vet asks for.
Products that are dangerous for cats
Never give a cat acetaminophen, and never use dog flea and tick products on cats: many contain permethrin, which causes tremors, seizures and death in cats. Human hair-loss solutions containing minoxidil can poison a cat that licks treated skin, and many human medicines are dangerous in a single dose. See human medicines that are dangerous for dogs and cats.
Common long-term conditions in cats
Older cats commonly develop kidney disease, an overactive thyroid and diabetes, each usually managed with medicine for the rest of the cat’s life. Our condition guides explain the options:
- Anxiety in dogs
- Seizures and epilepsy in dogs and cats
- Diabetes in dogs and cats
- Chronic kidney disease in cats
- Hyperthyroidism in cats
- Heart disease in dogs
Long-term medicines add up. Many are human generics a regular pharmacy can fill, and on Script Unlock, licensed pharmacies quote their own cash price on your vet’s prescription.
Frequently asked questions
Can I give my cat human medicine?
Only medicine your vet prescribes, at the dose prescribed for your cat. Some human medicines that are safe for people, such as acetaminophen, can kill a cat.
Why is acetaminophen so dangerous for cats?
Cats lack enough of the liver enzymes that break it down, so it damages their red blood cells and liver. A single regular tablet can be fatal.
How do I give a cat a pill?
Hide it in a pill pocket or a little soft food, or place it at the back of the tongue, then follow it with a little water or a treat so it does not stick in the esophagus. Ask your vet about a liquid, a flavored compounded form or an ear gel if pills are a struggle.
Can a regular pharmacy fill my cat’s prescription?
Often, yes. 25 of the 27 cat medicines in our guides can be filled at a regular pharmacy on your vet’s prescription.
Are dog flea treatments safe for cats?
No. Many dog flea products contain permethrin, which can cause tremors, seizures and death in cats. Use only products labeled for cats.
Related
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual
- FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Each medicine’s guide, linked in the table, lists its own prescribing information and sources.