Compounded Drugs: another option for treating Cushing's
- Canine Cushing's Alliance
- Dec 14, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 19
Sometimes, a brand name medication, such as Vetoryl or Lysodren, isn’t available in the strength or formulation that your pet needs. 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 Miniature Australian Shepherd. In cases like these, you might want to consider buying the medication from a compounding pharmacy. Below are answers to frequently questions about drug compounding.
What are compounded drugs?
Compounded drugs are modified versions of medications that are made by pharmacists or veterinarians. To make a compounded animal drug, a pharmacist or veterinarian will start with an FDA-approved drug (Vetoryl, for example) and reformulate it. The compounded drug will have the same active pharmaceutical ingredient as the FDA-approved medication but may differ in strength, dosage forms, and other characteristics. The compounded drug made from Vetoryl is called compounded trilostane.
Are compounded drugs FDA approved?
No, they are not. Unlike approved drugs, FDA does not verify the safety, effectiveness, or quality of compounded drugs before they’re marketed. This is why it’s important to get them from a reputable pharmacy.
Are compounded drugs the same as generic drugs?
No, compounded drugs aren’t the same as generic. Generic drugs are FDA-approved and equivalent to (essentially copies of) brand name drugs in strength, dosage form, and other characteristics, while compounded drugs may differ. There’s no generic version of Vetoryl on the market at this time.
I’ve heard that compounded trilostane isn’t as effective as Vetoryl. Is that true?
Not necessarily. Effectiveness depends a lot on the quality of the compounded drug, as well as the individual needs of the dog. Because some compounding pharmacies have better quality controls and processes than others, it's important to source compounded trilostane from a reputable pharmacy (see recommendations below).
Where can I find compounded trilostane?
You can find pharmacies through the compounding pharmacy search tool, linked here. Below is the contact information for two compounding pharmacies that have a good reputation among pet owners. Both of these 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 brand name drugs.
Where can I find out more about compounded drugs?
More details about compounded animal drugs can be found on the American Veterinary Medical Association's website, linked here.