What Is Compounding?
At Medicap Pharmacy in Harrisonburg, VA, compounding means we prepare customized medications from base ingredients to meet an individual patient’s needs when a commercially available product isn’t the right fit. Working from a prescriber’s prescription, our pharmacists can adjust strength, dosage form, flavor, and ingredients.
Non-sterile compounding covers medications that don’t require sterility (unlike injections or eye drops). Typical examples include capsules, tablets, creams, gels, ointments, suspensions, solutions, troches/lozenges, suppositories, and powders.
Why patients and providers choose compounding
- Personalized strength: Helps when patients need a dose that isn’t sold commercially (e.g., very low or incremental doses).
- Ingredient alternatives: Allows avoidance of allergens or irritants such as dyes, lactose, gluten, or preservatives when possible.
- Different route or form: Converts a tablet to a liquid, cream, or troche for those who can’t swallow pills or need a local application.
- Taste improvement: Kid-friendly flavors (and adult-approved ones) can help make adherence easier.
- Medication access: Provides options during drug shortages or when a product is discontinued.
Inside our non-sterile compounding lab
Our dedicated lab space is designed for accuracy, quality, and safety:
- Equipment: Precision digital balances, capsule-filling systems, geometric dilution tools, unguators/ointment mills, mixers, and calibrated volumetric devices to help ensure uniformity.
- Procedures: Every preparation is based on a physician’s order, a written formula, and a batch record that documents ingredients, lot numbers, beyond-use dating, and checks for accuracy.
- Quality focus: We source ingredients from reputable suppliers, use appropriate beyond-use dates, and follow current USP standards for non-sterile compounding (e.g., <795>), along with robust cleaning and labeling practices.
- Collaboration: We stay in communication with your prescriber to tailor therapy and resolve questions quickly.
Note: Compounded medications are prepared for individual patients and are not FDA-approved because they’re customized. We follow stringent standards and state board regulations to help ensure quality.
Common non-sterile dosage forms we prepare
- Capsules & mini-capsules (custom strengths, dye-free options)
- Oral liquids (solutions/suspensions) with custom flavors
- Topical creams, gels, ointments, and lotions
- Transdermal creams
- Troches/lozenges
- Suppositories (rectal or vaginal)
- Nasal rinses & powders (non-sterile)
- Dental pastes & mouth rinses
- Veterinary forms (species-friendly flavors/strengths)
If you don’t see what you need, ask…we’ll review options with your provider.
Who can benefit?
- Children who need liquid forms or lighter strengths
- Adults who need dose flexibility, allergen-conscious options, or alternative routes
- Seniors with swallowing difficulties or polypharmacy concerns
- Individuals with sensitivities to certain dyes, flavors, gluten, lactose, or preservatives
- Veterinary patients that need palatable, species-appropriate doses and dosage forms
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between compounding and regular prescriptions?
Regular prescriptions use mass-produced, FDA-approved products. Compounded medications are made-to-order for an individual under a health care provider’s direction when commercial options don’t meet specific needs.
Are compounded medications FDA-approved?
No. Because they’re customized, compounded products aren’t reviewed by the FDA for approval. Compounding pharmacies must follow USP standards and state regulations to help ensure quality and safety.
Do I need a prescription?
Yes. For human and veterinary patients, we require a valid prescription from a licensed provider specifying the compounded preparation.
How long will my compounded medication last?
We assign a beyond-use date (BUD) based on formulation type, ingredients, and storage. It may be shorter than commercial products. Always follow the labeled storage and discard by the BUD.
Can you remove allergens like dyes, gluten, or lactose?
Often, yes. We can frequently omit common excipients and choose alternatives. Share your allergies/sensitivities, and we’ll confirm what’s feasible for your formula.
How do you ensure dose accuracy and consistency?
We use calibrated equipment, validated procedures, and detailed documentation for each batch. Ingredients are measured precisely and mixed for uniformity, and each preparation undergoes quality checks.
How long does it take to get a compound filled?
Most non-sterile compounds are ready within 1–3 business days, depending on ingredient availability and complexity. Need it sooner? Ask if we can expedite safely, and we will.
Can compounded medications interact with my other meds?
Yes, interactions are possible. Always give us a complete medication and allergy list (including vitamins and herbals). We’ll screen for interactions and duplications and collaborate with your prescriber as needed.
Do you compound for pets?
Yes. We offer pet-friendly strengths and flavors (like chicken or tuna, where appropriate) and dosage forms your veterinarian recommends.
Call or visit Medicap Pharmacy in Harrisonburg, VA.
We’ll work with you and your prescriber to create a solution that fits.