Pharmaceutical compounding is the creation of a medicinal drug using customized medication to meet the specific needs of each patient, whether human or animal. This is done by a licensed pharmacist to create a unique dose strength and form for a patient who may not have had their needs met by commercially available drugs. A patient may not be able to tolerate the commercially available drug, the exact preparation needed may not be commercially available, or a patient may require a drug that is currently in shortage or discontinued, making compounding pharmacy the perfect solution.

Some ways in which our compounding pharmacy can customize medications based on a doctor’s prescription to meet a patient’s needs are:

• Customize strength or dosage.

• Flavor a medication (to make it more palatable for a child or a pet).

• Reformulate the drug to exclude an unwanted, nonessential ingredient, such as lactose, gluten, or a dye to which a patient is allergic.

• Change the form of the medication for patients who, for example, have difficulty swallowing or experience stomach upset when taking oral medication.

Since the efficacy of any formulation is directly related to its preparation, the selection of your compounding pharmacy is critical. Continuous training for compounding pharmacists and technicians, up-to-date and advanced equipment, and high-quality chemicals, as well as experience and ingenuity are all essential factors. When formulating and developing a unique preparation, the compounding pharmacist must consider the different properties of both the active ingredient and excipients, as well as solubility, tonicity, viscosity, and the most appropriate dosage form or device for administering the needed medication.