Pharmacy Compounding: Individualized Medication for You and Your Loved Ones

Pharmacy compounding is the specialized practice of creating customized medications tailored to individual patient needs. At Dyck’s Pharmacists, compounding is provided by specially trained pharmacy staff, particularly when commercially available medications do not meet a patient’s specific requirements. Compounded medications offer essential solutions for patients who have allergies to certain ingredients, require unique dosages, need a medication that’s not commercially available, or require an alternative form, such as a liquid instead of taking a tablet. This practice is widely used across various medical fields, including pediatrics, dermatology, pain management, hormone replacement therapy, and veterinary medicine. Some common examples of compounded medications include:

• Meclizine capsules for those suffering from motion sickness on cruises or fishing trips
• Methimazole cream for treating hyperthyroidism in cats
• Omeprazole liquid for infants suffering from acid reflux
• Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim liquid for children with bladder infections
• Hormone replacement therapies, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA in capsule, topical, or injectable forms for precise dosing

Over the past decade, custom medication compounding has come a long way. In Canada, it is regulated by provincial pharmacy regulatory authorities, ensuring strict safety and quality standards. The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) provides comprehensive guidelines for both non-sterile and sterile compounding, helping pharmacists uphold best practices. At our St. Paul location, we underwent a major renovation to ensure our compounding lab exceeds these standards. We are now fully equipped to provide patients with sterile medications prepared in a cleanroom environment, as well as non-sterile compounded medications formulated by our trained staff all week long. Compounding plays a crucial role in enhancing patient care by offering personalized medication solutions. If you require a customized medication, contact our St. Paul location or ask your doctor to reach out to our pharmacists-we’re here to help!