Compounded Versus Generic ED Medications: Is One Safer or More Effective?
There is a difference between compounded and generic drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED). Know what they are and when it’s time to see a urologic specialist for treatment options.
With as many options as there are in today’s medication marketplace, the choice between treatments can be overwhelming.
These days, brand-name medications like Viagra and Cialis are off-patent, opening up avenues for generic and compounded forms to be sold across the internet. Off-brand options are significantly less expensive, making ED (erectile dysfunction) medications available to more patients without the need to spend a small fortune, have insurance, or see a doctor in person.
That said, not all ED medications are created equally, and for that reason, it’s essential to understand your best options. This article will review various generic and compounded ED medication options and whether they represent safe and effective choices for you.
How to Tell the Difference
Before exploring the different formulations, we must distinguish between generic and compounded ED medications.
The difference is relatively straightforward. Generic ED medications typically come only in traditional tablet form. If you see “under the tongue” soluble tabs, chewables, mints, or sprays, these are typically compounded rather than standard generics.
In addition, the generic forms of these drugs usually contain only a single active ingredient. Sildenafil (the generic name for Viagra) and tadalafil (the generic name for Cialis) are in the same class of drugs, but their active ingredients are different. If you see sildenafil and tadalafil together in one pill, that product is compounded and is not considered a standard generic medication. In other words, they’re custom-compounded mixtures of two generic drugs.
Lastly, dosage often reveals whether a drug is generic or compounded. Generic tadalafil comes in 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg doses, while generic sildenafil comes in 20 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg doses. Any other dosages are likely compounded.
What Else is Different Between Compounded and Generic?
Generic and compounded ED medications use the same active pharmaceutical ingredients that are in brand names – in this case, Viagra and Cialis. However, generic drugs are manufactured by large generic pharmaceutical companies, while compounded medications are mixed and prepared by specialized compounding pharmacies.
Safety Considerations
The safety of generics versus compounded drugs largely depends on manufacturing practices.
Generic drug companies are regulated by the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration). As such, their products and practices must adhere to stringent quality and purity standards – generic pills are highly regulated. While quality lapses can occur in any industry, these are usually identified quickly and addressed by federal regulatory bodies in an expedited manner.
Compounding pharmacies are businesses licensed to mix and prepare medications for specific patient needs. The quality and safety of a compounded drug depend mainly on how scrupulous and attentive the specific business is to its quality controls. While many compounding pharmacies maintain high standards, there is generally less external oversight in the compounding world than there is in the manufacturing of FDA-approved generic medications.
Furthermore, compounding pharmacies may not be as transparent or required to release as much purity data as generic pharmaceutical manufacturers. Even if your physician uses a particular compounding pharmacy, they may not have direct knowledge of that pharmacy’s internal operations. This is not to say that compounded medications are inherently unsafe; it simply means that patients are relying more on the internal controls of that specific pharmacy rather than the broad oversight of the FDA. It’s worth it to do some research before you buy.
Do Online Purveyors Offer the Best Option?
You will undoubtedly see advertisements from large online companies offering ED medications as discrete and entirely online options. They do present a compelling case for convenience. However, they often only address half the problem. While it may be convenient to buy medication online after a brief telemedicine consultation, erectile dysfunction is a multifaceted concern.
Every patient should be under the care of a qualified urologist and men’s health specialist. Why? Because erectile dysfunction can be an early precursor to significant cardiovascular disease. ED is often caused by narrowing of the penile arteries due to atherosclerosis, a process similar to that affecting the coronary arteries. Beyond that, many patients who have undergone prostate cancer surgery or radiation require more specialized care and physical exams that an online-only platform cannot provide.
Ultimately, having a qualified specialist on your side ensures you get a comprehensive diagnosis rather than just a prescription. This ensures that your treatment is not only effective but safe for your long-term health.
If you have concerns about sexual function or other questions regarding men’s health, call Georgia Urology today to schedule an appointment with an experienced urologist at one of our locations throughout Atlanta.
