What is compounding?
Pharmaceutical compounding is the art and science of preparing customized medications for individual patients.
Compounding allows pharmacists to prepare medications in the strengths, dosage forms and combinations your healthcare provider selects for you.
Compounding can help when
- You need a different strength than what is commercially available
- You need a different dosage form, such as a cream, troche, capsule or liquid
- You need a formula without certain dyes, preservatives or other excipients
- You need several medications combined into one preparation
- A medication has been discontinued or is unavailable
- Pediatric or veterinary dosing must be adjusted
Your provider decides whether a compounded medication fits your care.
How to choose a compounding pharmacy
When selecting a compounding pharmacy, ask:
- Is it licensed by the California State Board of Pharmacy, and does it follow FDA requirements for compounding pharmacies?
- Does it follow the USP standards that apply to what it makes, such as USP <795> for nonsterile compounding and <800> for hazardous drugs?
- Are its pharmacists trained in compounding practices?
- Are ingredients sourced from FDA-registered suppliers, and does the pharmacy require a certificate of analysis (COA) for every lot?
- Does it use quality bases suited to the medication and the condition being treated?
- Does the pharmacy collaborate closely with healthcare providers?
- Is patient counseling available?
We're proud to answer yes. EpitomeRx is a licensed 503A pharmacy that follows California State Board of Pharmacy rules, FDA requirements and USP <795> and <800>. We require a COA for every ingredient lot and use PCCA bases chosen for each formula. See our quality standards.
Compounded medications are not FDA approved. They are prepared for an individual patient from a valid prescription.
Have questions about personalized compounding?
Call our pharmacist to talk through your prescription, pricing and options.