Trimix is a medication that contains alprostadil which has been FDA approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Additional active ingredients in Trimix are papaverine and phentolamine. These ingredients work together to relax the penis’s blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow.
All medications, including Trimix, eventually expire. This date of expiration indicates the last day that the manufacturer can guarantee the effectiveness and safety of the medication.
However, whereas mass-produced medications have a clearly labeled expiration date, compounded medications such as Trimix may not. Instead, they have a beyond-use date (BUD). Understanding the BUD of Trimix is critical to ensuring its effectiveness and safety.
Understanding The Expiration Of Pharmaceutical Products
Medications that are approved by the FDA are required to have an expiration date. This date is determined through extensive testing by the manufacturer, where they assess the stability and potency of the pharmaceutical products over time.
The expiration date is based on the expected length of time that the medication will remain effective and safe for use. Once the manufacturer has determined an expiration date, the FDA will evaluate and verify the results before approving the product for sale.
Several factors can influence a medication’s expiration date, including its chemical composition, storage conditions, and packaging. Exposure to light, heat, and moisture can all accelerate the degradation of a medication, leading to a shorter shelf life.
How Expiration Works For Compounded Medications
Although they may sound the same, BUDs and expiration dates are actually different. The expiration date is set by the manufacturer and verified by the FDA. Only FDA-approved medications will have a labeled expiration date.
Not all medications are FDA-approved, such as compounded medications, where a pharmacist may mix multiple ingredients to create a customized medication. In these cases, the FDA does not provide an expiration date. Instead, pharmacists will assign a beyond-use date based on their professional judgment.
Beyond-Use Date Vs Expiration Date
The BUD is determined by the pharmacist based on several factors, including the chemical stability of the compounded medication, the dosage, the storage conditions, and more. As compounding pharmacies follow strict guidelines and regulations, the BUD is usually shorter than the expiration date set by the manufacturer for the individual ingredients. This is also partly because compounded medications are not as extensively tested and studied as FDA-approved medications; therefore, their stability over time may be less certain.
Patient Guidance: Using Compounded Trimix Safely
It’s important to remember that every patient is unique and may respond differently to medications like Trimix. Therefore, it’s vital to consult a healthcare professional before considering or using Trimix.
Your doctor can give you guidance on the appropriate dosage, information on potential side effects, and advice on any precautions you should take when using Trimix based on your medical history and current medications. They can also advise on the best course of action if you experience any adverse effects from using compounded Trimix.
Using any type of compounded medication without proper medical guidance can be risky, especially if you’re on other medications or have an underlying medical condition. It’s always better to be cautious and seek the advice of a healthcare professional before using any medication. If your doctor prescribes Trimix, follow their instructions carefully, never exceed the recommended dosage, and do not use beyond the assigned BUD.
Average Shelf Life Of Trimix
The shelf life depends on the individual components of Trimix and how they are stored. Because Trimix is customized and compounded, there is no standardized shelf life. However, generally speaking, Trimix tends to last around 35 to 45 days when refrigerated.
Recommended Way Of Storing Trimix
Trimix should be stored at a temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) to maintain its effectiveness. It should be kept in its original packaging and away from direct light, heat, or moisture. This is because exposure to these elements can cause the compounded medication to degrade and lose its potency.
Proper storage is critical to ensure that Trimix remains safe and effective for use. If you keep your Trimix refrigerated, it should retain its efficacy until its BUD.
Can You Use Trimix After Its Beyond-Use Date?
In general, using Trimix is not recommended after its beyond-use date has passed. If the solution looks cloudy or discolored, it should not be used. But even if the medication is still safe for use, its potency or effectiveness is not guaranteed.
It’s best to adhere to the recommended storage and usage guidelines for Trimix to ensure its safety and effectiveness. Keeping track of the beyond-use date and following proper storage techniques can help avoid having expired injections that cannot be used.
Potential Risks Associated With Expired Trimix Injections
Assuming you’re storing your Trimix correctly, you’ll want to ensure you’re using your medication before the assigned BUD. Here’s a look at some of the potential risks associated with using expired Trimix injections:
Decreased Effectiveness
Using expired Trimix can lead to decreased effectiveness and may not achieve the intended result. This is because the medication’s active ingredients may have lost their potency over time, reducing its ability to produce an erection.
Unpredictable Outcomes
Using expired Trimix can also lead to unpredictable outcomes. The medication may not produce the expected results, leading to frustration or disappointment. It may even take longer for the medication to take effect or not work at all, ruining the mood and potentially causing intimacy issues in the relationship.
Increased Risk Of Side Effects
Like most medications, there are some potential side effects associated with using Trimix. However, these side effects can be more severe and unpredictable when using expired medication. This is because the inactive ingredients in the medication may have degraded, causing imbalances that lead to adverse reactions. These could potentially include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- A sudden decrease in blood pressure
- Increased heart rate or abnormal heart rhythm
Compromised Safety
Using expired Trimix can also compromise the safety of the patient. As mentioned, there is no guarantee of its potency or effectiveness after the assigned BUD. This means that using expired medication may not only fail to produce the intended result but could also harm your overall health.
Contamination Risk
Trimix injections that have passed their BUD may have an increased risk of contamination. This is because the preservative agents added to the medication to prevent bacterial growth may no longer be effective, allowing bacteria to thrive in the solution. As a result, using expired Trimix can lead to infections or other health complications.
Allergic Reactions
Beyond the risk of decreased effectiveness and increased side effects, using expired Trimix may also result in allergic reactions. This can occur as a result of the inactive ingredients in the medication that may have degraded over time. It’s important to seek immediate medical attention if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction.
Advantages Of Choosing A Reputable Compounding Pharmacy
Because compounded medications are not FDA-approved, choosing a reputable compounding pharmacy is essential when getting your Trimix injections. Here are some advantages of choosing a trusted pharmacy like UCP:
Customized Formulations
Reputable compounding pharmacies like UCP have trained pharmacists who can work with patients and their healthcare providers to create customized formulations that fit their specific needs. This means the medication can be tailored to an individual’s preferences, such as dosage strength, ingredient combinations, and even administration methods.
Exceptional Customer Support and Guidance
Reputable compounding pharmacies like UCP prioritize providing exceptional customer support and guidance to their patients. They understand that each patient’s needs are unique. Therefore, they take the time to listen and address any concerns or questions. They also offer guidance on proper storage, usage, and potential side effects of the medication.
Commitment To Medication Safety Transparency
Safety is a top priority at reputable compounding pharmacies. They will follow strict regulations and guidelines to ensure the highest level of safety for their patients. This includes using high-quality ingredients, testing for potency and sterility, and adhering to strict quality control measures. They are also transparent about their processes and provide patients with access to information about the medication and its ingredients. Finally, they’ll ensure that each compounded medication has an accurate BUD for added safety and effectiveness.
University Compounding Pharmacy’s Commitment To Quality
At University Compounding Pharmacy (UCP), we understand how important it is that medications such as Trimix injections are safe and effective. Not only do we abide closely by each patient’s prescription instructions, but we also take further measures to ensure quality and safety for our patients, including providing each patient with careful instructions and guidance on the proper usage and storage of their medications as well as including an accurate BUD for each compounded medication. The following are some examples of our commitment to quality:
- PCAB certification: We are proud to be PCAB (Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board) certified. To maintain this certification, we regularly undergo rigorous testing and verification of our processes, equipment, and personnel against the highest standards set by not just the PCAB but also the USP, FDA, and state pharmacy boards. This ensures that our patients are given medications that are both safe and effective.
- Highly trained pharmacists: Our highly qualified pharmacists undergo extensive training in compounding medications and stay up to date with the latest techniques and guidelines. This ensures that they have the knowledge and skills required to accurately compound medications and ensure quality and safety for our patients.
- Monthly quality checks: We invest $30,000 a month on third-party testing to ensure the safety and efficacy of our medications. This includes regularly checking for the potency and stability of our Trimix injections.
Make An Informed Decision When Getting Trimix Injections
When it comes to getting Trimix injections, it’s crucial to choose a reputable compounding pharmacy like UCP that prioritizes quality control and safety measures. With our commitment to using high-quality ingredients, state-of-the-art facilities, and highly trained pharmacists, patients can trust that they receive safe and effective medications. We also provide exceptional customer support and guidance to ensure our patients’ needs are met.
At UCP, we strive to make sure that each patient is well-informed and confident in their decision to use our compounded medications.
Make an informed decision about your health with University Compounding Pharmacy’s high-quality Trimix injections.
