Do not specify a compounded preparation when a suitable FDA-approved product is commercially available. Compounding a copy of an available manufactured drug should not be done as a cost-savings measure. It is not appropriate to request a compounded preparation that would violate any existing drug patents, is a new molecule or a vaccine. Additionally, many pharmacists may decline to compound preparations that are dangerous for them or end users to handle.
Compounding is only for non-food-producing animals.
Most compounding pharmacies compound every day for cats, dogs and horses. Many compound for exotics like ferrets, pocket pets, birds and lizards. Some compound for zoos and a select few compound for laboratory animal maintenance or for research studies. It is legal to prescribe a compounded preparation for just about any type of animal patient. Wedgewood Pharmacy does not compound for food-producing animals. Wedgewood Pharmacy, like most compounding pharmacies, has adopted the policy that any animal that will be used directly in the human food chain or produces milk or eggs that are used for human consumption may not receive compounded preparations.
Limitations of compounded preparations
There are some limiting factors that may make it impossible to create certain compounded preparations. They include physical and chemical properties, such as the desired strength not being achievable or stability issues created by temperature and light factors. If facility capabilities are a problem, a good compounding pharmacy will know its limitations and decline to compound something it is not equipped to prepare.
Learn more about the role of compounding in veterinary practice.
We've recently published a guide to compounding pharmacy in veterinary practice as an ebook downloadable from our website. In it, you will get a comprehensive overview of
- the most commonly prescribed compounds
- when to and when not to prescribe a compounded medication
- how dosage forms and flavoring may increase patient (and owner) compliance
- instruction on how to write a prescription for a compounded preparation
- statistics on how veterinarians are using compounds in their own practice
- information on how to choose a compounding pharmacy for your practice
Your copy of the Guide to Compounding Pharmacy in Veterinary Practice from Wedgewood Pharmacy is now available for download.
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Renee Lupo, R.Ph., F.A.C.A., F.A.C.V.P.
Technical-Services Pharmacist |
Connect with Wedgewood Pharmacy:      |
About Renee Lupo
Renee Lupo, R. Ph, F.A.C.A., F.A.C.V.P., technical-services pharmacist for Wedgewood Pharmacy, was the company's lead
technical/clinical pharmacist, working with prescribers and their staffs to develop custom formulations. She passed away on May 31, 2012,
after a brief illness. A scholarship was established in
her name at the University of the Sciences.
Disclaimers:
The views expressed on this blog are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Wedgewood Pharmacy.
Medications compounded by Wedgewood Pharmacy are prepared at the direction of a veterinarian. Many compounded preparations are commonly prescribed, and supported by literature, to treat particular disease states, but you should always consult your veterinarian before taking or administering any compounded medication. Wedgewood Pharmacy does not make claims for the efficacy of its compounded preparations.