Professor Ian Ramsey, Editor-in-Chief of the BSAVA Small Animal FormularyThe BSAVA has launched a series of client information sheets for drugs commonly used off-label.

The information sheets were the brainchild of Professor Ian Ramsey, Editor-in-Chief of the BSAVA Small Animal Formulary. He said: "As a referral vet I write a lot of letters to owners and vets that include instructions about the drugs that I am prescribing or dispensing for a patient. Often these drugs are unusual or cytotoxic, and are very commonly only authorized for human patients. As Editor of the Formulary I am acutely aware of the responsibility that I have for making sure owners understand what these drugs are for and what the side effects might be."

The BSAVA says it hopes the leaflets will overcome the challenge veterinary surgeons have in remembering all the drug information that needs to be related to clients, and the problem of clients forgetting what they have been told verbally by the clinician during a consultation.

In addition to a basic introduction to the Prescribing Cascade, each of the client leaflets provides the following information:

  • What is the drug?
  • Why has my pet been prescribed the drug?
  • How should I store the drug?
  • How do I give the drug to my pet?
  • How long will my pet need to take the drug?
  • What should I do if I run out of tablets?
  • What should I do if I miss a dose?
  • What should I do if my pet is accidentally given too many doses?
  • Can my pet take this drug if I am already giving them other drugs?
  • What are the possible side effects of the drug for my pet?
  • What should I do if my pet is unwell while taking the drug?
  • What should I do if a person accidentally takes this drug?
  • Whom do I contact if I want to know more?

The first batch of client information leaflets, which relate to the following medications prescribed for dogs and cats, is now available for members to download from the BSAVA website (http://www.bsava.com/):

  • Allopurinol
  • Amitriptyline
  • Amlodipine
  • Aspirin
  • Atenolol
  • Colchicine
  • Diazepam
  • Digoxin
  • Erythromycin
  • Famotidine
  • Fludrocortisone
  • Gabapentin
  • Ketoconazole
  • Lactulose
  • Levetiracetam
  • Misoprostol
  • Mitotane
  • Omeprazole
  • Pentoxifylline
  • Phenoxybenzamine
  • Piroxicam
  • Pyridostigmine
  • Ranitidine
  • Sotalol
  • Ursodeoxycholic acid
  • Vitamin K1

Each of the leaflets has a space for veterinary practices to add their details before distributing them to their clients, and the BSAVA says more may be added during 2011.

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