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Compounded Drugs: another option for treating Cushing's (Canada)

Updated: Aug 14


Some pet owners choose compounded trilostane, rather than Vetoryl, for treating Cushing’s disease. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about drug compounding.


What are compounded drugs?


Compounded drugs are custom-made medications prepared by compounding pharmacies or veterinarians. To make a compounded animal drug, a pharmacist or veterinarian will modify, mix, or reformulate a drug approved by Health Canada, such as Vetoryl. The compounded drug will have the same active ingredient as the approved drug but may differ in physical form, flavoring, or other characteristics. Both Vetoryl and its customized formulation (known as compounded trilostane) contain trilostane as their active ingredient.


What is the purpose of compounded drugs?


Compounded drugs are useful when the medication your pet needs isn’t suitable for some reason. Maybe your dog is having trouble swallowing Vetoryl capsules and needs a liquid, or maybe the lowest available strength isn’t low enough for your tiny Pomeranian. In cases like these, a compounding pharmacy can create a customized drug tailored to your pet’s needs.


Are compounded drugs approved by Health Canada?


No, they are not. Compounded drugs do not go through an approval process, meaning Health Canada does not verify their safety or effectiveness prior to marketing. This is why it’s important to get them from a reputable pharmacy. For advice on choosing a pharmacy, please see our article, Finding a Reputable Compounding Pharmacy.


Are compounded and generic drugs the same? Is compounded trilostane a generic version of Vetoryl?


There are several differences between compounded and generic drugs:


  • Compounded drugs are created when pharmacists modify approved drugs (either brand name or generic) to meet patient needs. This could consist of adding flavoring, changing the drug from a capsule to a liquid, removing allergens, or other modifications.

  • Generic drugs are essentially copies of brand name medications that pharmaceutical companies can make after the patent on a brand name drug expires. Generic drugs have the same strength, dosage form, active ingredients, and route of administration as the brand name they copy but usually cost less. Unlike compounded drugs, they are evaluated and approved by Health Canada before marketing.


To clarify:


  • Vetoryl is a brand name drug, and there’s no generic form of it on the market.

  • Trilostane is the active ingredient in Vetoryl.

  • The compounded drug made from Vetoryl also contains trilostane as its active ingredient and is referred to as compounded trilostane.


How does compounded trilostane compare to Vetoryl, in terms of safety and effectiveness?


For information on safety and effectiveness, please see our Vetoryl vs. compounded trilostane comparison chart.


Where can I find compounded trilostane?


You can find pharmacies through the Association of Compounding Pharmacists of Canada directory, linked here. Below is the contact information for a compounding pharmacy that has a good reputation among pet owners. You'll need a veterinarian's approval before ordering a compounded drug.


Chiron Compounding Pharmacy

1-800-446-8689


Can I save money by buying a compounded drug?


Yes, compounded drugs tend to be more affordable than other types of drugs.


Where can I find out more about compounded drugs?


More details about compounded animal drugs can be found in the following:


Use of Compounded Drugs in Veterinary Medicine, by College of Veterinarians of Ontario




 
 
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