Compounded Drugs: another option for treating Cushing's
- Canine Cushing's Alliance
- Dec 14, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
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 start with a medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, such as Vetoryl, and reformulate it. The compounded drug will have the same active ingredient as the FDA-approved drug but may differ in physical form, flavoring, or other characteristics. Both Vetoryl and the compounded drug made from it (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 FDA-approved?
No, they are not. Compounded drugs do not go through an approval process, meaning FDA 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, Compounding Pharmacies: What to Look For.
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 FDA-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 FDA 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 Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding search tool, linked here. If you are unable to find an option in your area, consider an online pharmacy that is licensed to ship to your state. Below is the contact information for two compounding pharmacies that have a good reputation among pet owners. Both pharmacies compound trilostane and mitotane and ship throughout the United States. You'll need a veterinarian's approval before ordering a compounded drug.
Wedgewood Pharmacy
(800) 331-8272
CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy
(844) 822-7379
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:
Compounding FAQ for Pet Owners, by AVMA
Animal Drug Compounding, by FDA
Compounding FAQs, by Wedgewood Pharmacy
Comparison Chart: Vetoryl vs Compounded Trilostane