Pet medicines aren’t for humans

A COUPLE of weeks ago I warned readers not to swap HRT prescriptions with other women, after I read stories about some doing this because of the current shortages.

But now I’ve discovered something even more worrying: people taking medication which is intended for their pets. I even received a baffling letter from a reader asking whether she could take a drug designed for horses to treat her chest infection.

The answer is absolutely not – it is incredibly dangerous.

Even if a medicine for animals is also used for humans, it will be in a different formulation and dose. And, most importantly, the exact compound will not have been tested on humans to check for potential side effects.

If you’re ever in doubt about medication, please visit a local pharmacist or ask your GP for advice.