A compounded medicine is a customised medication that a compounding pharmacist prepares to meet a patient's unique needs. Unlike mass-produced pharmaceuticals, which are manufactured in large quantities according to standard formulations, compounded medicines are created case-by-case.
Compounded medications may involve altering the dosage form, strength, or ingredients to accommodate specific patient requirements. This customisation allows compounding pharmacists to prepare medications that are not commercially available or to tailor existing medications to address factors such as allergies, intolerances, or other medical considerations.
Compounded medicines can take various forms, including capsules, creams, ointments, solutions, suspensions, and transmucosal film tablets. They may contain one or more active pharmaceutical ingredients and can be formulated to be gluten-free, dye-free, preservative-free, or free of other potential allergens or irritants.
It's important to note that compounded medicines are prepared in accordance with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider and are subject to regulatory oversight by organisations such as the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) in the UK. While compounded medications offer personalised treatment options for patients with specific medical needs, patients and healthcare providers should work closely with compounding pharmacists to ensure the safety, quality, and appropriateness of compounded medications for individual patients.