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\n Michael Dym, VMD Veterinarian\n \n \n
\n Sep 08, 2008\n
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\n Product review\n
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\n When this product was first released several years ago, veterinarians got so excited in hearing all of the wonderful results for those frustrating skin allergy cases that deluge our clinics on a daily basis. And while it was often initially cost prohibitive for many clients, as we have learned to use this product more efficiently, and as the price has come down a bit, most of us have seen the outstanding clinical results with this great product. Inhalent/contact allergies(known as atopic skin disease) to molds, grasses, trees, dust mites, dander, ragweed and pollens, have been the most difficult skin cases to treat, with many clients returning to the clinics over and over again with increasingly larger bills, as we usually only temporarily alleviate the symptoms. Over the past several decades, general veterinary practitioners have often had to resort to antihistamines that are effective often up to only 20 percent of the time, or cortisone, which while highly effective in reducing allergy symptoms, often can have severe short and long term side effects. Now that we have atopica we truly have a safer alternative, other than referring clients to expensive dermatologists for skin and/or blood allergy testing, which often takes months of allergy vaccines to evaluate, and which only has a 65 to at most 70 percent improvement rate in these cases. In my hands I have had equal, if not more success to these allergy vaccines using atopica in these allergic pets, thus often saving clients expensive trips to veterinary dermatologists for extensive testing and repeated visits. While initially atopica is dosed daily for the first several weeks to a few months, we are then often able to decrease its use to once to three times weekly in many pets. This significantly cuts down on long term costs in managing this frustrating allergic skin condition. It is important for clients to realize that most of the experience and clinical data that has been generated with the main ingredient in this product called cyclosporine, has not been duplicated yet in cheaper generic alternatives, so it is important in my opinion to stick with the atopica brand name at this time. The only significant draw back I have seen with this product are the occasional nausea/upset stomach and vomiting seen in roughly 20 percent of treated pets. This can sometimes be overcome by actually giving it with a little food, or sometimes I will prescribe an anti nausea medicine such as pepcid or prescription metoclopromide to decrease the nausea before the atopica is given. To help cut down on the costs, we will sometimes get by with lower doses of atopica than listed on its packaging instructions , if we prescribe a drug called ketoconazole, which can increase blood levels of atopica at a lower dose. . Clients can talk to their veterinarians about using this prescription combination for this purpose. The only other major disadvantage I have seen with atopica is that with small dogs, the larger sized pill can sometimes be a problem in administering it to them, but hiding it in small amount of butter or peanut butter can often help it going down easier. Overall though, I highly recommend this product and give it an overall rating of 5, with an effectiveness of a 4, and an ease of use of a 3.\n
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\n Odessa\n \n \n
\n Jul 30, 2008\n
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\n Pleasantly Surprised\n
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\n Surprised at how well this med works. My dog is highly allergic to everything & he has been on Atopica for 30 days & seems to be responding well with little or no side affects.\nI will be adminstering another round of Atopica for an additional 30 days. My dog has not responded well to any other medication given to him until now (it has been a very tumultuous year)\nOnly downside the pills are large & for small dogs can be difficult for them to swallow as my dog is allergic to pill pockets & is on a very strict diet that even my dog food can only be purchased through my vet.\nIf your dog is allergic like mine any type of doggie treat or dog food will cause him to breakout in hives & a $200 visit to the vet for a shot. It has become very expensive to have a dog with severe allergies along, with meds & dog food but I love & cherish him. I can't imagine a day without him!!\n
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\n JoJo\n \n \n
\n Jul 30, 2008\n
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\n The Wonder-Med!!!!\n
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\n We have a Pit-Lab mix that is over 60 lbs, we got her when she was 6 wks old. From just a few months old she would bite & scratch, finally to the point of scabbing & infection. Over 2 1/2 yrs, we tried 3 vets & spent at least $1000 trying to find what was wrong... ATOPICA WORKS!!!!!\n
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\n Kallie\n \n \n
\n Jul 27, 2008\n
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\n Only Medicine that has Worked!\n
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\n My shih tzu had horrible allergies and nothing helped until my vet recommended Atoipca. I have to give it to him every day and he has completely stop itching, no redness, no flaking. It is a hard pill for smaller dogs to swallow. (I've tried giving it to him every other day it doesn't work as well) He's been taking it 6months and has not had any side effects yet. i highly recommend it.\n
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\n Cat Lady\n \n \n
\n Jul 21, 2008\n
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\n Works for Cats\n
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\n The stray cat that came to m came with a host of problems, the worst being her licking and biting and scratching of herself. After seeing a dermatologist and putting her on hypoallergenic foods, steroids, antihistamine and antidepressants, the Vet said to try Atopica. even tho it is not indicated for cats. The alternative was a lot of steroids. She has been taking the Atopica for 2 months and it seems to work but I have to give it to her every day at this time. I hope I can wean her off it a bit as it is very expensive. I may try the generic as it is less costly. There is peace in the house now.\n
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\n Laur\n \n \n
\n Jul 15, 2008\n
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\n Extra Large Pills-Hard To Swallow\n
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\n I have a 12 year old Bichon and she has terrible allergies and of course it comes out in skin irritations. She is a fairly small dog and the Atopica pill is very large and hard to get my bichon to swallow. I have 3 suggestions: 1) Use a teaspoon of cheddar or other flavored cheese spread. Make sure pill is completely covered. 2) Use a tablespoon of hard vanilla ice cream. Form it around the pill. Works like a charm. 3) The old stand by, peanut butter. I put a little on my finger first, then give her the peanut butter "laced" pill after the initial lick to get the old tastebuds going and she trusts that I'm not slipping her anything weird. I hope these ideas are helpful.\n
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\n turtle-brat\n \n \n
\n Jul 13, 2008\n
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\n \n \n \"Star\n \n \n \n \"Star\n \n \n \n \"Star\n \n \n \n \"Star\n \n \n \n \"Star\n \n \n
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\n Atopica response excellent\n
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\n My female pit bull boxer cross had horrible allergic dermatitis which resulted in chronic scratching and skin infections. requiring antiobiotics. Allergy shots did not help and seemed to even worsen the problem. She was well stabilized on Atopica, (Brand), but when she received her routine immunizations 2 years ago, her immune system responded with a vengeance and I had to go back to a daily dose and slowly decrease the interval. Now she is doing very well, ie. asymptomatic, on every 2-3 day dose per her weight. I would advise caution with routine immuniztions and recommend that the shots be spread out, not like the 5 in 1, or, if possible, with your Veterinarian's agreement, only rabies vaccination. Cyclosporine does require follow-up bloodwork per your Veterinarian's protocol.\nThis medication is expensive but well worth it. Possibly, if more were used, the price might come down. I have no experience with the generic.\n
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\n TJS94402\n \n \n
\n Jul 13, 2008\n
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\n \n \n \"Star\n \n \n \n \"Star\n \n \n \n \"Star\n \n \n \n \"Star\n \n \n \n \"Star\n \n \n
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\n Works great but possible side effect\n
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\n My Westie has been on this for almost 3 yrs and its the only medication that controls his itching, he is a happy dog not having to wear the cone on his head anymore. My vet has him on a dosage lower then is weight along with a 1/4 pill of Ketoconazole, this cocktail seems to work and saves some money as well. One side effect that you need to look for after long term usage is inflamed\ngums. We keep and eye on it and do a blood check once a year as well. We had to take him off it last year for a few months and switch to Temaril-p to let his gums heal a bit. He never had any vomiting or diarreah from it though.\n
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\n Results: 209-216 of 221\n
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