What is compounding ?

Pharmacy compounding is the art and science of preparing customized medications for patients.  In recent years, compounding has experienced a resurgence, as more and more pharmacists, physicians and veterinarians are realizing the benefits of customized medication.  Reformulating medication by adding flavor, with a physician’s prescription, is just one example of pharmacy compounding. The preparation of unique dosage forms is another.

Patients and prescribes are no longer limited to the strength, dosage form, and flavor of mass produced medications.  Customized preparations allow for removal of problem-causing additives (such as preservatives or dyes).  Compounding is also ideal for unavailable medications or combination prescriptions.

Reasons for Compounding:

•    Improve patient compliance
•    Allergies to preservatives, dyes, filler of commercially available products.
•    Dosage form and strength unavailable
•    Flavoring to make medicine more palatable
•    Unique delivery systems: sublingual, troche or lozenge, cream or gel, suppositories and capsules.
•    Difficulty in swallowing can be solved with suspension or liquid

Compounding pharmacists are focus on meeting special needs.  The ultimate goal in preparing any customized medications is to help the physician and patient achieve a more positive therapeutic outcome.

Compounding for life’s problems