Medicines for dogs: what is different and what to know
Checked against our pet medication guides: October 2026
Short answer
Dogs need medicine dosed for their weight and breed, and some human medicines that are safe for people, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can seriously harm them. Herding breeds may carry a gene that makes certain drugs dangerous. Of the 32 medicines in our guides that are used in dogs, 26 can be filled at a regular pharmacy on your vet’s prescription, often as inexpensive human generics.
Why dogs are different
Dogs are especially prone to stomach ulcers and kidney damage from anti-inflammatory pain relievers at doses people tolerate, which is why ibuprofen and naproxen are dangerous for them and why vets prescribe dog-specific anti-inflammatories such as carprofen or meloxicam, with blood tests during long-term use. Dog doses are worked out by body weight, so the same medicine can be prescribed at a dose that would look unusual for a person.
Breed matters too. Collies, Australian shepherds, Shetland sheepdogs and other herding breeds often carry a mutation in the MDR1 gene, which normally keeps certain drugs out of the brain. In affected dogs, higher doses of ivermectin, the antidiarrheal loperamide and some other medicines can cause tremors, blindness or coma. A cheek-swab test shows whether your dog carries the mutation, and your vet will choose medicines accordingly.
Medicines commonly prescribed for dogs
- 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
- CarprofenRimadyl, Novox, Vetprofen, Carprovet (veterinary generics)Chewable tablets; CapletsRegular pharmacy: No, veterinary product
- 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
- Firocoxib (Equioxx)Equioxx, Previcox (dogs)Tablets (Equioxx); Oral paste (Equioxx)Regular pharmacy: No, veterinary product
- 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
- LevothyroxineThyro-Tabs, ThyroKare, Synthroid (veterinary and human), generic levothyroxineTablets (veterinary and human); Chewable tablets (veterinary)Regular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- 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
- 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
- Oclacitinib (Apoquel)Apoquel, Apoquel ChewableTablets; Chewable tabletsRegular pharmacy: No, veterinary product
- 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
- Potassium bromideKBroVet-CA1 (veterinary), compounded potassium bromideChewable tablets (KBroVet-CA1, veterinary); Compounded capsules and oral solutionsRegular 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
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SMZ)Bactrim, Septra (human), generic sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprimDouble-strength tablets (human, 800/160 mg); Oral suspension (human)Regular pharmacy: Yes, as the human version
- 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 |
| CarprofenRimadyl, Novox, Vetprofen, Carprovet (veterinary generics) | Chewable tablets; Caplets | No, veterinary product |
| 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 |
| Firocoxib (Equioxx)Equioxx, Previcox (dogs) | Tablets (Equioxx); Oral paste (Equioxx) | No, veterinary product |
| 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 |
| LevothyroxineThyro-Tabs, ThyroKare, Synthroid (veterinary and human), generic levothyroxine | Tablets (veterinary and human); Chewable tablets (veterinary) | Yes, as the human version |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Oclacitinib (Apoquel)Apoquel, Apoquel Chewable | Tablets; Chewable tablets | No, veterinary product |
| 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 |
| Potassium bromideKBroVet-CA1 (veterinary), compounded potassium bromide | Chewable tablets (KBroVet-CA1, veterinary); Compounded capsules and oral solutions | 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 |
| Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SMZ)Bactrim, Septra (human), generic sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim | Double-strength tablets (human, 800/160 mg); Oral suspension (human) | Yes, as the human version |
| 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 dog
- Hide tablets in a pill pocket or a small piece of food your vet approves, and give them with a meal when the medicine allows; many dog medicines are gentler on the stomach with food.
- Store flavored chewable tablets well out of reach: dogs treat them as food, and eating a whole bottle can be an emergency.
- Check any human liquid or chewable for xylitol before giving it, and use only products your vet or pharmacist confirms are xylitol-free.
- Keep long-term medicines on schedule, and keep the follow-up blood tests your vet asks for, especially with anti-inflammatories and seizure medicines.
Human products that are dangerous for dogs
Beyond pain relievers, the most dangerous human products for dogs include anything sweetened with xylitol, which can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and liver failure; ADHD medicines and antidepressants; the muscle relaxant baclofen; and some skin creams, such as fluorouracil. See human medicines that are dangerous for dogs and cats, which lists both animal poison control helplines.
Common long-term conditions in dogs
Arthritis, allergies, anxiety, seizures, diabetes and heart disease are among the conditions dogs most often take medicine for long term. Our condition guides explain the options:
- Arthritis in dogs
- Allergies and itching in dogs
- Anxiety in dogs
- Seizures and epilepsy in dogs and cats
- Diabetes in dogs and cats
- Chronic kidney disease 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 dog human pain relievers?
No, not without your vet. Ibuprofen and naproxen can cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure in dogs. Vets prescribe anti-inflammatories made and dosed for dogs instead.
What is the MDR1 gene mutation?
A mutation, common in collies, Australian shepherds and other herding breeds, that lets certain drugs build up in the brain. Higher doses of ivermectin, the antidiarrheal loperamide and some other medicines can cause serious reactions. A simple test shows whether your dog carries it.
Can a regular pharmacy fill my dog’s prescription?
Often, yes. 26 of the 32 dog medicines in our guides can be filled at a regular pharmacy on your vet’s prescription.
How do I get my dog to take a pill?
Hide it in a pill pocket or a small piece of food your vet approves, and give it with a meal if the medicine allows. Ask about chewable or liquid forms, but check any human liquid for xylitol first.
Why does my dog’s dose look so different from a human dose?
Dog doses are worked out by body weight and can be much higher or lower than human doses for the same medicine. Follow your vet’s dose exactly and never adjust it yourself.
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.