Resources
Educational Resource Center
Plain-language articles on compounding, dosage forms and medication use, organized by topic and by who you are.
11 articles
Compounding Fundamentals
What Is Pharmaceutical Compounding?
Compounding is the preparation of a medication by a pharmacist for one specific patient, when a commercially available product does not meet that patient’s needs.
Compounding Fundamentals
Compounded and FDA-Approved Medications: Understanding the Difference
Approved drugs go through FDA review before marketing. Compounded preparations do not. Knowing what that means helps patients and prescribers choose well.
Dosage Forms
A Guide to Nonsterile Dosage Forms
Capsules, liquids, creams, ointments, gels, troches and suppositories each solve a different problem. Here is how they compare.
Dosage Forms
Topical and Transdermal: Why the Distinction Matters
A topical preparation acts where it is applied. A transdermal preparation is meant to pass through the skin into the bloodstream. They are not interchangeable.
Human Compounding
Oral Liquids for Children: Questions to Ask
When a child cannot swallow pills, a compounded liquid may help. Measuring accurately and storing correctly are what make it work.
Human Compounding
When an Inactive Ingredient Is the Problem
Dyes, lactose, gluten-containing starches and other inactive ingredients can matter for some patients. Compounding can sometimes leave them out.
Veterinary Compounding
Flavored Medications for Pets: Helpful, With Limits
A flavor an animal accepts can make the difference between a missed dose and a finished course. The right flavor depends on the species.
Veterinary Compounding
Transdermal Gels for Cats: What Owners Should Know
For some cats and some medications, a gel rubbed on the ear flap can replace a daily pill. It is not a fit for every drug.
Medication Education
Storing and Handling Compounded Medications
Compounded preparations carry a beyond-use date and storage directions specific to the formulation. Follow the label, not habit.
Prescriber Resources
Writing a Prescription for a Compounded Preparation
A complete, specific prescription saves call-backs and helps the pharmacist confirm the preparation is appropriate for the patient.
Veterinarian Resources
Veterinary Prescriptions for Compounded Preparations
Species, weight, strength and flavor all shape a veterinary preparation. So does whether the patient is a food-producing animal.