FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS COMPOUNDING?
Pharmacy compounding dates back to the origins of pharmacy. It declined in the 1950s and ‘60s as the pharmacist’s role quickly changed from a preparer of medications to a dispenser of mass-manufactured products. However, this “one-size-fits-all” approach to medication meant that some patients’ needs were unmet.

Within the last few decades, compounding has experienced a renaissance, as modern technology, innovative techniques and new research have allowed more pharmacists to customize medications to meet
a patient’s unique needs.

 

Compounded medications is made specifically tailored to patient’s needs, rather than what they can get commercially at big retail pharmacies.

 

An example would be if a patient was allergic to a specific dye found in a manufactured medication and we would be able to compound the same medication without the dye. Another example with pets would be different dosages for different sized pets, whereas these medications are usually not found in these type of dosages.

HOW DOES COMPOUNDING BENEFIT ME?
Working with your health care provider, a compounding pharmacist can:

• Alter the form of your medication to make it easier to use or ingest

• Add flavor to your medication to make it more palatable

• Adjust the strength of your medication so that it meets your specific needs

• Combine medications into one, easy-to-use form

• In some cases, formulate medications that are no longer manufactured commercially

CAN MY CHILD OR MY ELDERLY PARENT TAKE COMPOUNDED MEDICATION?
Yes. Children and the elderly are often the types of patients who benefit most from compounding. If
prescribed by your health care provider, a compounding pharmacist can alter the strength of a
medication or change the form so that it is easier to use.

A compounder can also work with a physician and patient to select a flavor based on the patient’s
preference. Flavoring options include bubble gum, grape, tutti frutti and vanilla butternut, among many
others.

Compounding pharmacists also can help patients who experience chronic pain. For example, some
arthritic patients cannot take certain medications due to gastrointestinal side effects.

Working with a physician’s prescription, a compounding pharmacist can provide these patients
medications as topical creams that can be absorbed through the skin. Compounded prescriptions
frequently are used to ease pain, nausea and other symptoms for hospice patients as well.


WHAT KINDS OF PRESCRIPTIONS CAN BE COMPOUNDED?
Compounding pharmacists can prepare medication for a variety of needs and applications, including:

• Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy

• Hospice

• Pediatrics

• Pain management

• Dentistry

• Dermatology

• Medication flavoring

• Neuropathy

• Veterinary

• Sports medicine

• Infertility

• Wound and scar therapy

• Podiatry

• Gastroenterology