Q: What is Compounding?

A: Extemporaneous Compounding- is the art of preparing individualized prescriptions from raw ingredients.

Q: Is compounding a new idea?

A: No. Actually it is the forerunner of today’s modern pharmacist.  An apothecary, prior to 1950 when commercial drugs were not generally available, prepared needed medications using compounding techniques..

Q: How is Compounding different from regular prescriptions?

A: Through compounding, doctors provide customized medical treatment, often going outside the boundaries of commercially prepared drugs. It's "just what the doctor ordered!"

Q: What are some advantages of Compounding?

A: Here are just a few: If a patient is allergy sensitive, a compounding pharmacist can prepare a dosage free from the problem- causing fillers, dyes, binders, sugar, preservatives or other additives. Variation of strength--If your patient requires strength of a drug that is not available, compounding pharmacists can compound, or create from scratch, that dosage--eliminating the mess of breaking pills and providing dosing accuracy. Bitter drugs can be flavored to taste.

Q: How is compounding done?

A: Usually, pharmacists begin by using chemicals and bulk drugs in powder form. By mixing these ingredients to meet the patient’s individual needs, compounding pharmacists can prepare thousands of combinations. Then, using all types of high-tech molds, containers, new drug delivery systems and other equipment, they can create a vast number of dosage forms.

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