Is Generic Heartgard Safe?

Licensed veterinarians prescribe generic Heartgard to protect dogs against heartworm and some intestinal parasites.

Heartgard and generic versions of Heartgard are used to prevent heartworm disease. In most states, you can choose a generic version of a drug unless the prescribing veterinarian specifically notes the brand-name product is required for safety reasons. If your prescription says "NS", "DAW" or "Brand Medically Necessary" on the script, you must use only the name brand.

Safety

Generic versions of Heartgard from reputable sources are completely safe, according to DrsFosterSmith.com. Generics contain the exact same amount of the active ingredient Ivermectin as name-brand drugs and are approved by the FDA.

Price

DrsFosterSmith.com states that generic drugs for your pet are usually half the price of name-brand prescriptions. You can save more on highly competitive generics. These may cost only a third of the price of the name-brand drug.

Warning

The FDA warns against ordering drugs like generic Heartgard from online pharmacies. The FDA has found that online pharmacies may be selling medications that are expired or counterfiet, or selling to consumers that don't actually have a prescription.

References

• Drs. Foster and Smith: About Generic Pet and Equine Prescriptions
• 1-800-Pet-Meds: Heartgard Plus Generic
• WSAW: Be Wary of Discounted Ped Meds
• Pet Product Advisor: How to Choose Heartgard Medication for Your Dog

Resources

• The Pet Center: The Pharmacy