Compounding Dosage Forms

Lozenges/Troches
Lozenges or troches are a popular dosage form used to keep drugs in the mouth when local action is needed there. They also can be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve for sublingual delivery, which allows the medication to enter the blood stream quickly and easily. Lozenges and troches can be enhanced with natural sweeteners and pleasant tasting flavours, making them ideal for geriatric and paediatric patients.

Transdermals
Transdermal methods of delivery also are widely used because they allow the absorption of medicine directly through the skin. Gels, emulsion creams, sprays and lip balm stick applicators are easy to use and are effective in getting medicine into the blood stream quickly. Frequently, transdermal medications are prescribed for pain management, inflammation and nausea/vomiting. In many cases, transdermals are used to help avoid potential side effects such as stomach upset or drowsiness.

Unique Oral Delivery Systems
As many patients often have a difficult time taking medicine a number of dosage forms can be custom prepared for easier ingestion. Many medications can be taken through a flavoured lollipop or a frozen ice block. Others can be taken as chewable forms. Infants especially benefit from alternate delivery devices such as pacifiers or baby bottles, which are wonderful for dispensing medicine easily and accurately.

Suspensions
Many medications are not available in liquid forms for those patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets and capsules. Other patients may have difficulty tolerating the taste of a commercially available liquid. Through compounding, a pharmacist can make a naturally sweetened, pleasant oral solution or suspension that can be administered easily and accurately. Oral solutions and suspensions are also used in compounding eye drops, ear drops, injections or nasal sprays.

Powder Insufflators
Insufflators are used to apply an extremely fine dry powder to the nose, throat, ears or other body cavities, or topically for wounds. By squeezing a bulb, a patient can direct a powdered medication through a nozzle for direct application. Dry powder insufflators offer rapid onset treatment, and can minimise adverse reactions by releasing small, accurate dosages. They are often used in the treatment of earaches.

Suppositories
Patients who cannot take medication orally are prime candidates for compounded suppositories. Available in various shapes depending on administration, suppositories can be given rectally, vaginally or urethrally. By melting or dissolving into the body cavity, they pass quickly into the bloodstream. They can be used for delayed-release medications, hormone replacement therapy, or to treat local conditions such as nausea, haemorrhoids, infections, inflammation or nausea.