subject: More Information On Compounding [print this page] Compounding, also called pharmaceutical compounding and compounding pharmacy, is the mixing of drugs by a pharmacist, physician, or veterinarian to fit the unique needs of a patient. This may be done for medically necessary reasons, such as to change the form of the medication from a solid pill to a liquid, to avoid a non-essential ingredient that the patient is allergic to, or to obtain the exact dose needed. It may also be done for voluntary reasons, such as adding favorite flavors to a medication. A compounding pharmacy uses the latest pharmaceutical knowledge and requires specialized training as well as state-of-the-art equipment. Most pharmacies are not equipped to handle the requirements for this type of technology.
A compounding pharmacy plays the crucial role of drug development. Compounding pharmacists and medicinal chemists develop and test pharmaceutical formulations for new drugs so that the active ingredients are effective, stable, easy to use, and acceptable to patients. Physicians may prescribe an individually compounded medication for a patient with an unusual health need or conditions like sinusitis and such. This allows the physician to tailor a prescription to each individual. Compounding preparations are especially prevalent for:
-Patients requiring limited dosage strengths, such as a very small dose for infants
-Patients requiring a different formulation, such as turning a pill into a liquid or transdermal gel for people who can't swallow pills due to disability
-Patients requiring an allergen-free medication, such as one without gluten or colored dyes
-Patients who need drugs that have been discontinued by pharmaceutical manufacturers because of low profitability
-Patients who are taking bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, specifically the Wiley Protocol
-Children who want flavored additives in liquid drugs, usually so that the medication tastes like candy or fruit
-Veterinary medicine, for a change in dose, change to a more easily-administered form (such as from a pill to a liquid or transdermal gel), or to add a flavor more palatable to the animal.
Compounded preparations are becoming more and more popular treatment options for people with special needs when it comes to medications. There are different delivery systems for compounded medications or preparations depending on the need and the disease.
Types of Delivery for Compounded Preparations
A Troche is a small square-shaped pill that is filled with a custom dosage of medicine and comes in many different flavors.
Suppositories are compounded for treatment of patients that have difficulty with swallowing or accepting other medication delivery systems. Acute asthmatic attacks also are remedied with anal suppository medication delivery.
Oral sprays are called for in the treatment of a number of medical conditions. We adjust medications to specific oral spray devices.
Nasal Spray devices are a highly valued method of administering fast acting medications in measured dosages. Usually used in the treatment of chronic sinusitis.
A lozenge is a small, medicated candy intended to be dissolved slowly in the mouth. Lozenges are often prepared to help make some medications more palatable. Many flavors are available.
Capsules are perhaps the most common way to deliver medications. They are small sized gelatin oblong containers filled with medication.
Lip Balm can be compounded to provide relief for a variety of conditions.
Creams & Gels are compounded for topical medications. They can be delivered by small specific dose syringes in many veterinary and human applications.
