Commonly Asked Questions

What is compounding?
Do all pharmacists compound?
How can compounding help me?
Why is there a need for pharmacists to compound?
What form can a compounded medication have?
Will my insurance cover the cost of compounded medications?

What is compounding?

The term describes the preparation of medication in a specialized format. Generally, the medication is on the order of a physician and is tailored to meet the specific and individualized requirements of you the patient.

Do all pharmacists compound?

No. Not all pharmacies are equipped to do so. Compounding requires specialized equipment and chemicals that are not available in most pharmacies. Further, compounding by its nature requires training for both pharmacist and technicians.

How can compounding help me?

The customization of medication gives the patient and physician the flexibility to have the medication tailored to the specific needs of each patient. This is often the case when commercially available medication falls short either because it is not commercially available in the strength necessary, it is not manufactured in the dosage required by the patient, or the drug contains additives that heighten allergies in the patient. Further, if the patient has digestive sensibilities and cannot orally take a pill or a liquid their medication can be compounded into a transdermal gel/cream or in a suppository thus avoiding these sensibilities. Sometimes the medication is no longer commercially available but has been effective for you. Sometimes a medication is only commercially available as an oral or injectable product, making administration difficult thus a compounding pharmacy can often simplify home administration of these products by compounding an alternative dosage form such as a troche or transdermal gel. Sometimes it is just as simple as changing the flavor of the medication from an intolerable taste to something more palatable.

In all of these situations a compounding pharmacy can help you by compounding the medication to the specific and individualized requirements of physician and patient.

Why is there a need for pharmacists to compound?

Despite the advancements by pharmaceutical companies in the development of medicine to combat various diseases their solution is not always the best for everyone. Sometimes a much more personalized and tailored approach to treatment is required. Furthermore, manufacturers develop medications on a demand determined by the need of a generalized public and cannot accommodate individualized treatment. Compounding can give you that option.

What form can a compounded medication have?

Troches	Nasal sprays
Pacifiers	Suppositories
Chewy treats	Liquids/suspensions
Creams	Gummy bears
Gels	Lip balm
Dauber bottle	Transdermal preparations
Lollipops	Capsules

These specialized dosage forms will help ensure that you receive your medication in the most convenient form possible.

Will my insurance cover the cost of compounded medications?

This varies by insurance company. Some insurance companies are unfamiliar with compounded medications and are at a loss as to their classification. However, by providing our patients with an insurance form listing all active chemicals with corresponding NDC numbers, we have found insurance companies much more compliant.