Pharmacy Compounding

Assessment Techniques

Preparing customized medications by combining or altering ingredients for patient-specific needs. Compounding principles and sterile vs. non-sterile techniques tested on PTCB exam.

Related drug class: Opioids includes morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, codeine. Mechanism: Bind mu-opioid receptors for analgesia, euphoria, respiratory depression.

Documentation

Proper documentation of pharmacy compounding follows facility policies and regulatory requirements. All entries must be dated, timed, and signed. Errors are corrected with a single line through the incorrect entry, initialed and dated. Never erase or cover with correction fluid.

Regulatory Context

Regulatory framework for pharmacy compounding in pharmacy:

Schedule IV

Low abuse potential relative to III. Examples: benzodiazepines, zolpidem, tramadol. Storage: 5 refills in 6 months

Schedule I

No accepted medical use, high abuse potential. Examples: heroin, LSD, peyote, ecstasy, marijuana (federal). Storage: Not dispensed in pharmacies

Schedule III

Moderate abuse potential. Examples: testosterone, ketamine, Tylenol with codeine. Storage: 5 refills in 6 months, written/oral/electronic Rx

Key Values & Ranges

Preparing customized medications by combining or altering ingredients for patient-specific needs. Compounding principles and sterile vs. non-sterile techniques tested on PTCB exam.

Related drug class: Statins includes atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin. Mechanism: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, decrease hepatic cholesterol synthesis, upregulate LDL receptors.

Practical Example