What is Compounding?

Compounding is the art and science of creating personalized medicine. It all starts with a problem: the child who can’t swallow pills, the patient with a gluten allergy, the much-needed drug that’s in short supply. For whatever reason, many people aren’t served by mass-produced medications. That’s where compounding pharmacies come in. Special flavorings, unique dosage forms, innovative delivery methods – using these tools and more, compounding pharmacies work with prescribers to fill a gap in health care through customized solutions for specific patient needs.

Compounding is a great option to explore for people who:

• Have allergies to common mass-produced medicine fillers (casein, gluten, dyes, etc.)
• Aren’t taking medication as prescribed due to unpleasant side effects or lack of improvement
• Need custom medicine strengths and dosage forms (like creams or suppositories)

Compounded Dosage Forms

Each compounded prescription comes with instructions that will help you properly take your medication.

Common dosage forms include:

• Capsules
• Creams, gels, lotions and ointments
• Liquid formulations such as suspensions and solutions
• Lollipops
• Lozenges
• Mouthwashes
• Suppositories

For patients, compounding can be life-changing, even lifesaving. And, it’s highly rewarding for compounding pharmacists and practitioners, helping them solve some of health care’s toughest challenges.