Monday, February 25, 2013

The Importance of Custom Compounding for Pets

Custom compounding is the preparation of a medication that is tailored to treat the specific needs of individual pets by a veterinary pharmacist. There are various reasons for using this method, the most common of which is difficulty in administering the most appropriate and effective dose of a medication that is primarily manufactured for use in human healthcare. Other reasons could include:
  • Allergy to the manufactured medication
  • Sensitivity to other ingredients in the medication such as the substance that is used to deliver the drug
  • Difficulties administering the medication due to its taste
  • The required medication has been discontinued by the manufacturer
  • An exact dosage is required to effectively treat the animal
  • To make it easier for the pet owner to administer multiple medications
Just about any medication can be compounded including eye drops, and there are a number of different vehicles that can be used to administer them. These can include transdermal gels, capsules, creams, solutions, suspensions and suppositories.
Safety of Compounded Medications
Compounding pharmacies are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration; however, the state boards of pharmacy do provide quality control. When prescribed by a licensed veterinarian, and compounded by a licensed veterinary pharmacist, custom medications are very safe.
Compounded medications are only available at a compound pharmacy, but not all pharmacies provide this service. Of those that do, only a few have a veterinary pharmacist on staff. Because of this, veterinarians are very cautious when choosing a compound pharmacy. Typically, most veterinarians use one specific pharmacy on a regular basis for custom prescriptions.

About the Author
Ms. Laleh Taheri is the Pharmaceutical Director at Compoundia Pharmacy, a leading compound pharmacy in Westlake Village, California. As a compound pharmacist, Laleh and her company specialize in custom compounding, including sterile injectable s for veterinary use.

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