Information regarding the use of generic alternatives for the brand name medication Lupron (Leuprolide Acetate), used for the treatment of adrenal disease in ferrets.
While I have found Leuprolide Acetate (brand name Lupron) to be very effective in treating adrenal disease in ferrets the cost can be prohibitive, particularly when buying the brand name medication. Leuprolide Acetate generic is an alternative which I have been using with my ferrets for around one years time. I have found it to be just as effective as the brand name, if not more so, at half the price or better. What follows is information based on my experience. If you are using Lupron/Leuprolide Acetate with your ferrets or are considering doing so I would recommend you discuss the generic alternatives with your vet.
I use Northwest Pharmacy myself, Canada Drugs Online comes recommended by others. Both are licensed pharmacies, licensed with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia. License numbers are supplied. The Leuprolide Acetate sold is human grade and intended for human consumption. Northwest Pharmacy states that all generics they supply are rigorously government tested and approved for chemical and medicinal equivalence to their brand name counterparts. Canada Drugs Online states that Canada has exceptionally high standards, a rigorous approval system and very strict requirements for the manufacturing and sale of brand and generic medications. These requirements are very similar to, and sometimes higher than, those of other industrialized countries.
Dosages available are 1mg (only available from Northwest Pharmacy), 3.75mg, 7.5mg, 11.25mg, and 22.5mg
The 1mg, 3.75 mg and 7.5 mg are 30 day versions
The 11.25 mg and 22.5 mg are the 3-4 month versions
The 1 mg is appropriate for use in ferrets, the others are human sized doses which need to be broken down into ferret sized doses.
Pricing and contact information is available on both websites.
I buy the 11.25 mg, 3 month version. The kit I recieve comes with 2 vials, one containing the Leuprolide Acetate powder and one containing 2 ml of diluent (carboxymethylcellulose sodium IP, mannitol IP, polysorbate 80 IP, water for injection IP and glacial acetic acid USP (for ph adjustment)....note that with this diluent there is no sting when the injection is given, as is common when using saline). These need to be mixed before being drawn into syringes (U-100 Insulin, 1 cc, 28gx1/2"). The cap from the powder bottle is removed, the diluent poured in, the cap is replaced, the bottle is rolled (not shaken) until mixed, the mixture is drawn from the bottle through the rubber topper into the syringes. This gives me 22 - 500 mcg doses plus one smaller (250 mcg) dose. My smaller ferrets (at/around/under 2 pounds) are given 1 - 500 mcg dose every three months, my larger ferrets (2 1/2 - 3 pounds and up) are given 1 mg (2 - 500 mcg injections) every three months. The dosage(s) you use may vary. I go with 500 mcg in every syringe because I have multiple ferrets recieving different dosages depending on weight and also because my ferret numbers tend to change (new intakes, loss of oldsters) and so it's easier and less confusing for me to keep all syringes at 500 mcg, as I never use less then 500 mcg. You should discuss dosage(s) with your vet to find what is best for your ferret(s). The injection should be given IM (in the muscle) rather than subq, as this appears to be more effective and longer lasting. Syringes not used immediately after mixing are immediately frozen, being stored in my freezer inside a cooler bag lined with ice packs, and saved for the next round. Despite what you may be told, once mixed, Leuprolide Acetate can be frozen for 6-12 months (I've been doing it for years without issue and know of many others who do as well).
Note that you will need a prescription from your vet or your vet will need to place the order for you. All that I do is under the supervision of my vet.
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