Compounded Dosage Forms Explained walkthrough.
Compounding allows Village Pharmacy to prepare medications in forms and doses not commercially available. Understanding the different forms helps you know what to expect and how to use your medication correctly.
Step by step.
- 01
Capsules
Gelatin or vegetarian capsules filled with a precise dose of powdered medication, swallowed whole with water. They allow fine-tuned doses not possible with commercial tablets. Some capsules can be opened and mixed into food if swallowing is difficult — ask your pharmacist first, as this is not appropriate for all formulations.
- 02
Creams & gels
Semisolid preparations applied to the skin for local or transdermal systemic effects. Absorption varies by the base used, the application site, and occlusion. Hormone creams, pain creams, antifungals, and wound preparations are commonly made this way.
- 03
Troches & lozenges
Slow-dissolving tablets held in the mouth (buccal or sublingual). Used for hormone delivery (especially DHEA and progesterone), anti-nausea medication, and pain. Medication absorbs through the oral lining directly into the bloodstream, bypassing first-pass liver metabolism.
- 04
Oral liquids & suspensions
Useful when a commercial tablet or capsule is not available in the needed dose, or when a patient cannot swallow solid forms. Common for pediatric and veterinary medications. Shake suspensions before each use.
- 05
Injectables
Sterile preparations for subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous administration, prepared in a controlled cleanroom environment meeting USP 797 standards. Examples include peptides, hormones, vitamins, and pain medications.
- 06
Suppositories
Solid dosage forms that melt at body temperature for rectal or vaginal delivery. Used for local conditions or when oral administration is not possible. Store in the refrigerator to maintain shape.
- 07
Nasal preparations
Compounded nasal sprays, drops, and rinse capsules for sinus, allergy, and upper airway conditions. Applied directly to the nasal lining for local or systemic effect.
Notes
- Ask about your formulation: If you are unsure why your medication was prepared in a specific form, or how it differs from a commercial version, our pharmacists are happy to explain.
- Compounded medications are prepared for individual patients based on a valid prescription and are not FDA-approved products. Village Pharmacy follows all applicable USP guidelines and state pharmacy board regulations.
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