Compounding Q/A for Today
1. What is compounding?
Compounding involves the manipualtion of any drug beyond the instructions stipulated on the drug label. Manipulation can involve anything from mixing and diluting medication to adding flavour, and everything in between. Medication should only be compounded on the basis of a licensed Veterinarian's prescription, to meet the medical requirements of a patient.
2. Are compounded drugs considered to be the same as generic drugs?
Generic drugs are not the same as compounded medication. Generic drugs are a 'non-brand name' version of the same drug. They have the same active ingredients and strength as the brand name medication, and have been approved by the APVMA as safe and effective, and in accordance with APVMA specifications. Compounded medications, on the other hand, shouldn't be considered therapeutically identical to the original drug.
3. When is compounding indicated in Veterinary medicine?
There are a bunch of times when compounding is required. Often it's when companion animals need medication which has to be manipulated to appropriately or more easily treat the pet. For instance, adding flavour to entice a cat to swallow a pill.
However there are occasions when the approved drug required, isn't commercially available, or the compounded medication can't be made by crushing and using the approved drug. In these circumstances, the APVMA will allow compounding from raw active ingredients.