Compounding uses special chemicals, liquids, powders and other raw materials to make customized medications under a doctor's directions to meet special patient needs. There are several reasons why pharmacists compound prescription medications. Yet, the most important one is the inability of a patient to take a medication in its traditional form. We can alter ingredients to give patients the medicines they need, in a form they can accept.
Allergies: Many patients are allergic to preservatives or dyes, or are sensitive to standard drug strengths. With a physician's prescription, a 
compounding pharmacist can change the strength of a medication, change its form to make it easier for the patient to ingest, and add flavor to it to make it more palatable.
compounding pharmacist can change the strength of a medication, change its form to make it easier for the patient to ingest, and add flavor to it to make it more palatable.Specialized Delivery: The pharmacist also can prepare the medication using several unique delivery systems, such as a sublingual troche or lozenge, a lollipop, or a transdermal gel. Or, for those patients who are having a difficult time swallowing a capsule, a compounding pharmacist can make a suspension liquid instead.
Palatability: Often parents have a tough time getting their children to take their medicine because of the taste. A compounding pharmacist can work directly with the physician and the patient to select a flavoring agent, such as vanilla butternut or tutti frutti, that provides both an appropriate match for the medication's properties and the patient's taste preferences.
Potentially Reduce or Avoid Gastric Complications: Compounding pharmacists also have helped patients who are experiencing chronic pain, such as arthritic patients who cannot take certain medications due to gastrointestinal side effects. Working with their physician, a compounding pharmacist can provide them with a topical preparation with the anti-inflammatory or analgesic their doctor prescribed for them.
Compounding Pharmacies focus on meeting special needs. This may involve compounding height/weight-appropriate pediatric medications, medications for veterinarians in a variety of dosage forms and flavors, alternatives in
hormone replacement therapy, or dosage options, such as transdermal gels for treating hospice patients.
hormone replacement therapy, or dosage options, such as transdermal gels for treating hospice patients.
The ultimate goal in preparing any of these customized medications is to help the physician and patient achieve patient compliance. Talk to your doctor to see if compounding your medications would be a benefit to you.
- BHRT (Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy)
- Chronic Pain Management
- Veterinary Neuropathies
- Hospice
- Sports Medicine
- Pediatric/Medication Flavoring
- Wound Therapy
- Dental Transdermal Delivery
- Dermatology
- Gastroenterology
