Compounding provides unique solutions for individual patients. Commercially available medications are limited by, for example, ingredient choices (dyes, preservatives), strengths, patient allergies, or dosage forms. Compounding can provide solutions to many of these problems via a collaboration between the pharmacist, physician, and patient. Compounding pharmacists are able to make a variety of changes to traditional medications, including:
- Decreasing levels of or eliminating dyes, preservatives, etc.
- Increased or decreased dosage strengths for infants or elderly people
- Alternative forms of medications, such as troches, lozenges, candies, gels and liquids
- Added flavours for better taste & easier ingestion
In addition, pharmaceutical compounding also offers a solution for patients who require medications that have been discontinued by drug manufacturers, and helps patients who may be facing a supply shortage of their normal medications. It also allows a pharmacist and doctor to work together to create tailor-made medications, such as combination pain therapies or hormone replacement therapies, that are not commercially available.
