What compounding means
Compounded medications are prepared for an individual patient by a licensed pharmacy when a prescriber determines a patient-specific need and applicable requirements are met. They are not FDA-approved.
The FDA does not review compounded medications for safety, effectiveness, or quality before marketing in the same way it reviews approved drugs.
Independent decisions remain independent
A consultation does not guarantee a prescription. The licensed clinician evaluates the patient and decides whether any prescription is appropriate. The pharmacy independently reviews whether it can accept and dispense the prescription.
Availability varies by patient, state, clinician, program, pharmacy, and product. A compounded option is not automatically appropriate because a commercial product exists.
Questions to ask
Ask why a compounded preparation is being considered, what alternatives exist, which pharmacy would prepare it, what monitoring is expected, and what to do if questions or adverse effects arise.
For general education, not personal medical advice. Read our information standards.