The art of pharmaceutical compounding has ancient roots dating back to early hunter gatherer societies. These ancient civilizations utilized pharmaceutical compounding for religion, grooming, keeping the healthy well, treating the ill and preparing the dead. These ancient compounders produced the first oils from plants and animals. They discovered poisons and the antidotes. They made ointments for wounded patients as well as perfumes for customers.

Today compounding is still a necessary skill for many pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Extemporaneous compounding is required for prescription orders that are not commercially available in the requested strength or dosage form.

There are two types of pharmaceutical compounding, sterile and non-sterile. This Entry will primarily focus on non-sterile compounding.

Basic steps for preparing compounded drug preparations

There is a general order of work for all extemporaneous compounding. By following a procedure you will be able to work more effectively.

1. Carefully read and interpret the prescription or medication order.
2. Note any missing or confusing information; clarify, gather, and add this information to the drug order.
3. Check the dose,dosage regimen, dosage form, and route of administration for appropriateness.
4. Determine a preliminary compounding procedure.
5. Perform necessary calculations. If possible have a colleague check calculations.
6. Select required ingredients. It is the responsibility of the pharmacist to choose appropriate quality ingredients for compounding. The preferred grade for this is USP or NF. If an official USP or NF ingredient is not available, the pharmacist should use professional judgment in the selection of an alternative source so that the safety and purity of the ingredient is assured. This may require requesting a certificate of analysis from the supplier.
7. Choose appropriate compounding equipment.
8. Using recommended techniques, prepare the product.
9. A visual inspection of the product should be done.
10. Choose an appropriate container and package the preparation.
11. Determine an appropriate expiration date (beyond-use date)
12. Label container and include recommended auxiliary labels
13. Document the compounding process.

Legal issues

Lab safety

Equipment

Weighing and measuring

Weighing

Measuring

Definitions

Compounded dosage forms

Labeling

See also

References