What is compounding?

Nowadays, all medications are mass-produced by big pharmaceutical companies. However, not all commercially available medications are suitable for all patients. This is where compounding comes into place.

Pharmaceutical compounding is the art and science of formulating a personalized medication to meet the needs of an individual patient. Normally, a compound is mixed together with at least 2 or more ingredients to achieve desired strengths and dosages based off of a prescription written by the doctor.

An MJ’s pharmacist will work collaboratively with you and your prescriber to customize a compound tailored to your needs.

Why compound? Here are some reasons!

To provide a patient with swallowing difficulties alternative formulation options, such as a flavoured liquid suspension, topical gel/cream, or suppository that would otherwise not be commercially available
To avoid allergy or unwanted ingredients. For example: dyes, preservatives, lactose, gluten, etc…
To add flavour to increase palatability.
Adjust the strength of a medication to that desired by the patient and prescriber.
To provide an arthritic patient with gastrointestinal problems with a topical pain preparation that gets absorbed through the skin. For example, Diclofenac 10% Gel.