Fluoextine / Reconcile - what's the difference?

[SirChenjins]

Bit of a niche question I know...

ChenPup has been prescribed Reconcile for us to use alongside his behaviour training. It's made a massive difference - he's like a different dog and so much happier. However Reconcile has become almost impossible to get via my usual private prescription - supplier issue apparently - so I asked if the vet could prescribe fluoextine (which seems to be the same whether it's for humans or dogs). Fluoextine is the active ingredient - like paracetamol is in children's Calpol.

I could not get a straight answer from the vet - lots of umms and ahhs, and vague explanations about Reconcile replacing fluoextine - which it doesn't, 'cos it's the active ingredient in Reconcile! Anyone know anything about this and why fluoextine can't be used?

I am no medic so could be way off but I thought Reconcile is just the chewable dog version of fluoextine

That’s what I thought - but it it’s very strange that the vet couldn’t prescribe fluoxetine while the supply issues are ongoing. She seemed v cagey about why she couldn’t!

I think - they possibly can’t prescribe generically because if a dog variant exists they’re no longer allowed to prescribe the human variant.

As in, you can get off label human drugs prescribed, but as soon as someone develops a dog variant they have to prescribe that instead.

Ahhh - that sounds very much like that’s the reason. I’m guessing fluoxetine is fluoxetine and that the human variety was used for dogs (and other animals?) before they came up with this Reconcile? If so, someone is making a lot of money! Really hope they sort out the supply issues soon though ☹️

Vets have to follow something called the cascade to prescribe medications. Where ever possible we should prescribe a medicine that is licence for that species for that condition. We then work our way down the steps with human medications at the very bottom.
We are not allowed to prescribe like doctors are - listing the active ingredient and then the pharmacy filling it with whatever brand is available.
There is an issue with Reconcile at the moment so for the period of the supply issue if not using the medication would cause your dog a welfare problem it would be appropriate to write a generic prescription. But this would have to cease when the licensed medication became available again.

Thanks so much @Lonecatwithkitten I had no idea that prescribing was so different for animals, but good to know that in the worst case scenario I would still be able to get fluoextine. I have 8 weeks supply left so I'm OK for now. Is it the same fluoextine that they use for humans?

I'm in the same boat here, got enough tablets for 4 days!

Oh my goodness - what are you going to do once you run out?

The carrier maybe different and that can affect some patients.

I have absolutely no idea tbh, waiting to hear back from the vet.

Can you let me know what the vet says please? It’d be good to know if there are alternatives in case the supply issues aren’t resolved.

Managed to get the 8mg tablets OK and hope this continues!