If you are asking whether oxytocin works for erectile dysfunction (ED), the short answer is that the seller of the compounded product says it is not FDA-approved. A 2021 review of oxytocin and erectile function says human studies of oxytocin in men and women “do not appear to confirm” the sexual-behavior effects seen in animals. You may have seen it in a telehealth ad, where it is sold as a compounded product, such as MadeMed’s Mood Drive, which combines oxytocin with tadalafil and bremelanotide. Below you will find what each ingredient is approved for, what the research found, what the listing costs, how refunds and cancellation work, and the safety rules to check before you decide.
Is oxytocin FDA-approved for erectile dysfunction?
The seller states that compounded medications, including its oxytocin product, are not FDA-approved. The men’s product also contains two other ingredients, and each has a different status.
| Ingredient | FDA status |
|---|---|
| Tadalafil | FDA-approved as Cialis for erectile dysfunction. Compounded tadalafil is not FDA-approved. |
| Bremelanotide (PT-141) | The seller states that compounded medications are not FDA-approved. |
| Oxytocin | The seller states that compounded medications are not FDA-approved. |
You can check any approved medicine’s current label in the FDA drug labeling database.
What does the research say about oxytocin and erections?
A 2011 study of oxytocin in corpus cavernosum looked at erectile tissue. Researchers took tissue samples from 31 men with erectile dysfunction and 11 men without it, and tested them for oxytocin. Oxytocin was detected in both groups. The scores did not differ significantly, at 2.16 in men with ED and 2.30 in the comparison group. The authors wrote that “further studies are necessary to reach a final conclusion regarding the effects of oxytocin on corpus cavernosum.”
The 2021 review covers the wider picture. It first summarizes animal studies that support a facilitating role for oxytocin in male and female sexual behavior. It then covers human studies, mostly of intranasal oxytocin in men and women. Those human results, the review says, “do not appear to confirm the facilitatory role of oxytocin found in male and female sexual behavior in animals.”
How does oxytocin work, and why is it called the love hormone?
The 2021 review describes oxytocin as an “ancient neuropeptide” involved in social and sexual behaviors. It says oxytocin’s role in erectile function and sexual behavior was among the first discovered, in laboratory animals in the 1980s. The review also says oxytocin works in concert with other neurotransmitters and neuropeptides.
In men, the 2011 study’s abstract says oxytocin “is released by the posterior pituitary gland during male orgasm.” The same abstract reports an oxytocin receptor gene and protein in human corpus cavernosum, and that oxytocin had contractile activity on that tissue in laboratory tests.
Searches often call oxytocin the “love hormone.” The review’s description is more specific: one part of social and sexual behavior, not a single switch for feelings.
What is in the oxytocin product sold for men?
Disclosure: the links to MadeMed in this section and below go to the seller’s own website.
MadeMed’s MadeMed’s sexual health listings include one men-only product that contains oxytocin, called Mood Drive. The seller describes its sexual health formulations as combining PDE-5 inhibitors with neurological stimulants “for enhanced intimate confidence.”
| Product as listed | Ingredients the listing names | Form and status |
|---|---|---|
| Mood Drive (men only) | Tadalafil 20 mg, bremelanotide (PT-141) 1 mg, oxytocin 20 IU | Sublingual quick-dissolve. Compounded, with prescription required, according to the seller. |
The seller says its formulations are prepared “exclusively by accredited U.S. pharmacies in accordance with USP monographs and strict cGMP standards.” Its footer says compounded medications “are not FDA-approved and clinical efficacy has not been evaluated by the FDA.”
The listing names 20 mg of tadalafil. The Cialis label’s starting dose for as-needed use is 10 mg, which it says may be increased to 20 mg or decreased to 5 mg “based upon individual efficacy and tolerability.” The 20 IU of oxytocin and the 1 mg of bremelanotide are the seller’s listed amounts. The dose of the compounded product is your prescriber’s decision.
Does it make sense to combine tadalafil with oxytocin?
Mood Drive puts an ED medicine, tadalafil, together with bremelanotide and oxytocin. The Cialis prescribing information says that “the safety and efficacy of combinations of CIALIS and other treatments for erectile dysfunction have not been studied. Therefore, the use of such combinations is not recommended.”
If your concern is erections, ask your prescriber whether each ingredient fits that concern. Keep erection problems and low desire separate when you talk about them.
Is MadeMed legit, and how do I check?
MadeMed is a real telehealth company that lists a phone number, a support email and a mailing address. It sells prescription compounded medications, and it says it is certified by LegitScript. An FDA-approved tadalafil prescription may suit a man who wants an approved ED medicine and whose prescriber agrees. The compounded combination may suit a man who wants a telehealth route and whose prescriber has reviewed each ingredient.
The seller’s own pages say the following:
- Support is available at 1-800-582-1428 and support@mademed.com, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm EST.
- Its MadeMed’s about page says every consultation is reviewed by a board-certified physician licensed in your state.
- It names Absolute RX, Strive Pharmacy, ERX Hub and Southend Pharmacy as partner pharmacies.
- Its about page says it is “Audited & Certified by LegitScript” and links to a certificate you can verify.
- Its terms and privacy pages list a mailing address.
Before you pay, check three things. Open the LegitScript certificate. Ask support which pharmacy will fill your order, and whether that facility is registered with the FDA. A PMC review of pharmaceutical compounding lists that as a key question: “Is the facility that is doing the compounding registered with the FDA and fully compliant with its guidelines?” Then get the refund rule in writing, as set out below.
What does it cost?
Prices as of November 2, 2026; check the checkout for today’s price.
| Product | Billing shown | Price on the listing |
|---|---|---|
| Mood Drive (men only) | Per month; the terms say subscriptions are charged every 30 or 90 days until you cancel | From $79/mo, with $99/mo shown and “Save $20/mo” |
The about page says its pricing includes “all shipping and physician messaging.” Compare the total at checkout, not only the monthly figure.
How do I order, cancel and get a refund?
Ordering. The seller says its medical intake is asynchronous and reviewed by board-certified physicians. It says prescription is required, that clinical discretion applies, and that “not everyone is eligible for treatment.”
Canceling. The Spanish-language terms of service say you can cancel by emailing support@mademed.com or through your patient portal. Cancellations take effect at the end of the current billing cycle, and the seller does not offer prorated refunds.
Refunds. The seller’s pages set out different rules:
| Situation | What the seller’s pages say |
|---|---|
| You are not prescribed | The sales page says “Medication refunded in full if our clinical team determines you are not prescribed.” |
| Medication already dispensed | The MadeMed’s returns and refunds policy, last updated November 1, 2025, says federal and state laws prohibit returns “once it has been dispensed by the pharmacy,” and that “all sales of both prescription and over-the-counter products are final and non-refundable.” |
| Damaged, incorrect or lost order | Contact the seller within seven (7) days of delivery. At its discretion, it will replace the product or give a full refund for that product. |
| Consultation fee | Non-refundable after the consultation is completed. Cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours in advance. |
The sales page says medication is refunded in full if the clinical team determines you are not prescribed. The returns page says dispensed medication cannot be returned and consultation fees are non-refundable after the consultation. Ask support in writing how these apply to your order, at 1-800-582-1428 or support@mademed.com, before you pay.
What are the side effects and safety rules?
The side effects below come from the FDA-approved Cialis (tadalafil) label, because tadalafil is the ingredient FDA has approved for ED. The label’s highlights call the events in the first column of the table the most common adverse reactions. The data come from eight placebo-controlled studies of 12 weeks, with a mean patient age of 59 (range 22 to 88).
| Side effect (label Table 1) | Placebo (N=476) | Tadalafil 5 mg (N=151) | Tadalafil 10 mg (N=394) | Tadalafil 20 mg (N=635) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headache | 5% | 11% | 11% | 15% |
| Dyspepsia | 1% | 4% | 8% | 10% |
| Back pain | 3% | 3% | 5% | 6% |
| Myalgia | 1% | 1% | 4% | 3% |
| Nasal congestion | 1% | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Flushing | 1% | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Pain in limb | 1% | 1% | 3% | 3% |
The label also lists less frequent events, under 2%, including hypotension, nausea and syncope, and says a causal relationship to the drug is uncertain for those.
Check these rules with your prescriber. The label’s warnings are the basis for each one.
- Nitrates: Tadalafil is contraindicated with any form of organic nitrate, whether taken regularly or intermittently.
- Alpha-blockers: Be stable on alpha-blocker therapy before starting. The label says to start at the lowest recommended dose.
- Heart conditions: The label says ED treatments “should not be used in men for whom sexual activity is inadvisable as a result of their underlying cardiovascular status.”
- Priapism: An erection lasting more than 4 hours needs emergency medical attention. Use caution with conditions such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma or leukemia, or anatomical deformation such as Peyronie’s disease.
- Vision: For sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, stop all PDE5 inhibitors and seek medical attention.
- Hearing: For sudden decrease or loss of hearing, stop and seek prompt medical attention.
- Blood pressure and alcohol: Substantial alcohol, 5 units or more, can increase orthostatic signs and symptoms, including dizziness and decreased standing blood pressure.
- Other medicines: Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, ritonavir and itraconazole limit the tadalafil dose.
The seller’s listing links to an “Important safety information” section for Mood Drive. Read it before you order, since it is the seller’s safety text for the oxytocin and bremelanotide in the product. Ask the prescriber or pharmacist whether either ingredient affects alertness or mood, and tell them about any nitrate, alpha-blocker or heart condition you have.
Compounding carries its own risk. A PMC review of pharmaceutical compounding notes that, except for 503(B) facilities, compounding pharmacies are not required to report adverse events to the FDA. The University of Maryland compounding overview says compounded drugs are not evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness and quality before they are marketed.
Can oxytocin be prescribed, and can I make it or take it another way?
Yes, the listing requires a prescription. The compounding review describes compounded drugs as prepared by a licensed pharmacist, or under a pharmacist’s supervision, for patients with specific medical needs. It also says the FDA does not consider a cost difference between a commercial product and a compounded copy to be a valid reason to prescribe a compounded drug.
The Mood Drive listing is a sublingual quick-dissolve form. The human studies in the 2021 review used intranasal oxytocin. For any other route, ask your prescriber.
A telehealth route keeps the intake, prescription and delivery in one place. The NIDDK erectile dysfunction overview says ED is diagnosed with a medical, sexual and mental health history, a physical exam, and lab and other tests. The Cialis label says that “evaluation of erectile dysfunction should include an appropriate medical assessment to identify potential underlying causes, as well as treatment options.”
What about oxytocin in labor and delivery?
Several of your searches ask about oxytocin around labor and delivery, blood pressure and water intoxication. Those are questions about a different use of oxytocin from erectile dysfunction. Read the prescribing information for the oxytocin product your clinician names, or ask a pharmacist.
What are the other ED options to compare?
The NIDDK erectile dysfunction overview says health care professionals treat the underlying causes of ED and then focus on improving sexual function, and that choosing an ED treatment is a personal decision. For a side-by-side look at DirectMax and Viagra, read directmax vs viagra. For broader men’s sexual health, see men’s sexual and prostate health.
Before you order
- Ask support in writing which refund rule applies if you are not prescribed.
- Confirm the billing interval, every 30 or 90 days, and the total at checkout.
- Open the LegitScript certificate link on MadeMed’s about page.
- Ask which partner pharmacy fills your order, and whether it is registered with the FDA.
- Read the “Important safety information” linked from the Mood Drive listing.
- Tell your prescriber about any nitrate or alpha-blocker medicine, any heart condition, and any past sudden loss of vision or hearing.
By SterlingMedicalCenter.org Editorial Team
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.