Compounding is the art and science of creating personalized medicine. It all starts with a problem: the child who can’t swallow pills, the patient with a gluten allergy, the much-needed drug that’s in short supply. For whatever reason, many people aren’t served by mass-produced medications. That’s where compounding pharmacies come in. Special flavorings, unique dosage forms, innovative delivery methods – using these tools and more, compounding pharmacies work with prescribers to fill a gap in health care through customized solutions for specific patient needs.

Compounding is a great option to explore for people who:

• Have allergies to common mass-produced medicine fillers (casein, gluten, dyes, etc.)
• Aren’t taking medication as prescribed due to unpleasant side effects or lack of improvement
• Need custom medicine strengths and dosage forms (like creams or suppositories)

Each compounded prescription comes with instructions that will help you properly take your medication.

Common dosage forms include:

• Capsules
• Creams, gels, lotions and ointments
• Liquid formulations such as suspensions and solutions
• Lollipops
• Lozenges
• Mouthwashes
• Suppositories

For patients, compounding can be life-changing, even lifesaving. And, it’s highly rewarding for compounding pharmacists and practitioners, helping them solve some of health care’s toughest challenges.