Compounding: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:52, 16 February 2025

Overview of pharmaceutical compounding

Overview[edit]

Compounding is the process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient. This practice is performed by a licensed pharmacist or a licensed physician. Compounding is a fundamental aspect of pharmacy practice and allows for the customization of medications that are not commercially available.

History[edit]

Compounding has been a part of healthcare since the origins of pharmacy. Historically, pharmacists were known as "apothecaries" and were responsible for preparing and dispensing medications. The image to the right depicts a drug clerk from the early 20th century, illustrating the long-standing tradition of compounding in pharmacy practice.

Types of Compounding[edit]

Compounding can be categorized into several types, including:

Non-sterile compounding: This involves the preparation of medications that are not required to be sterile, such as oral capsules, topical creams, and ointments.
Sterile compounding: This involves the preparation of medications that must be free from microbial contamination, such as intravenous solutions and injections.
Veterinary compounding: This involves the preparation of medications specifically for animals, taking into account species-specific needs and preferences.

Importance in Modern Medicine[edit]

Compounding plays a crucial role in modern medicine by providing solutions for patients with unique needs, such as:

Patients requiring a specific dosage or strength not available in commercial products.
Patients with allergies to certain excipients or preservatives found in mass-produced medications.
Pediatric or geriatric patients who may need medications in a different form, such as a liquid instead of a tablet.

Regulatory Aspects[edit]

Compounding is regulated by various national and international bodies to ensure safety and efficacy. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state boards of pharmacy oversee compounding practices. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, but they must be prepared in compliance with applicable standards and regulations.

Challenges and Considerations[edit]

Pharmacists involved in compounding must consider several factors, including:

Ensuring the stability and compatibility of compounded formulations.
Maintaining a sterile environment for sterile compounding.
Adhering to strict quality control measures to ensure patient safety.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Compounding''' is a practice in [[pharmacy]] where a licensed pharmacist, or a healthcare provider, combines, mixes, or alters ingredients of a drug to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient.
+{{Short description|Overview of pharmaceutical compounding}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
+== Overview ==
+[[File:The_drug_clerk_LCCN2002712838.jpg|thumb|right|A historical depiction of a drug clerk compounding medications.]]
+'''Compounding''' is the process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient. This practice is performed by a licensed [[pharmacist]] or a licensed [[physician]]. Compounding is a fundamental aspect of pharmacy practice and allows for the customization of medications that are not commercially available.
 == History ==
+Compounding has been a part of healthcare since the origins of pharmacy. Historically, pharmacists were known as "apothecaries" and were responsible for preparing and dispensing medications. The image to the right depicts a drug clerk from the early 20th century, illustrating the long-standing tradition of compounding in pharmacy practice.
-The history of [[compounding]] dates back to the origins of pharmacy itself. In ancient times, compounding was a routine activity among pharmacists. Medications were made by combining individual ingredients in the exact strength and dosage form required by the patient. This method was very common in the past, but has become increasingly rare due to the advent of mass drug manufacturing.
+== Types of Compounding ==
+Compounding can be categorized into several types, including:
-== Modern Day Compounding ==
+* '''Non-sterile compounding''': This involves the preparation of medications that are not required to be sterile, such as oral capsules, topical creams, and ointments.
+* '''Sterile compounding''': This involves the preparation of medications that must be free from microbial contamination, such as intravenous solutions and injections.
+* '''Veterinary compounding''': This involves the preparation of medications specifically for animals, taking into account species-specific needs and preferences.
-In the modern day, compounding is still a vital part of pharmacy practice. It is often used when the exact product a patient needs is not commercially available, or when a patient is allergic to an ingredient in a commercially available product. Compounding can also be used to change the form of a medication, for example, from a pill to a liquid, to make it easier for a patient to take.
+== Importance in Modern Medicine ==
+Compounding plays a crucial role in modern medicine by providing solutions for patients with unique needs, such as:
-== Compounding Pharmacies ==
+* Patients requiring a specific dosage or strength not available in commercial products.
+* Patients with allergies to certain excipients or preservatives found in mass-produced medications.
+* Pediatric or geriatric patients who may need medications in a different form, such as a liquid instead of a tablet.
-[[Compounding pharmacies]] specialize in compounding, although many also dispense traditional prescription medications. In these pharmacies, high quality ingredients, advanced technology, and sophisticated techniques are used to ensure that compounded medications meet the individual needs of patients.
+== Regulatory Aspects ==
+Compounding is regulated by various national and international bodies to ensure safety and efficacy. In the United States, the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) and state boards of pharmacy oversee compounding practices. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, but they must be prepared in compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
-== Regulation ==
+== Challenges and Considerations ==
+Pharmacists involved in compounding must consider several factors, including:
-Compounding is regulated by state boards of pharmacy. In the United States, the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) has oversight for the integrity of the drugs (called Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, or APIs), but does not have the authority to regulate the practice of pharmacy, including compounding.
+* Ensuring the stability and compatibility of compounded formulations.
+* Maintaining a sterile environment for sterile compounding.
-== Risks and Benefits ==
+* Adhering to strict quality control measures to ensure patient safety.
-Like any medical treatment, compounding has potential risks and benefits. The benefits include the ability to customize medication, which can improve patient compliance and potentially lead to better health outcomes. The risks include the possibility of human error in compounding the medication, and the lack of extensive testing that is required for mass-produced drugs.
-== See Also ==
+== Related pages ==
 * [[Pharmacy]]
 * [[Pharmacist]]
-* [[Medication]]
+* [[Pharmaceutical drug]]
-* [[Food and Drug Administration]]
+* [[Drug formulation]]
 [[Category:Pharmacy]]
-[[Category:Medicine]]
+[[Category:Pharmaceutical industry]]
-[[Category:Healthcare]]
+[[Category:Pharmacology]]
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