Week 1 (Intro + Powders)

Question 1

What is compounding?

Answer 1

The creation of a pharmaceutical preparation (drug) by a licensed pharmacist to meet the unique needs of an individual patient (human or animal) when a commercially available drug doesn’t meet those needs

Question 2

Why do we compound? (3)

Answer 2

1. Drug or dosage form not commercially available
2. Dose unavailable
3. Formulation inappropriate for patient (like an allergy)

Question 3

Compounding vs Manufacturing

Answer 3

Compounding = compounding based on doctor’s prescription or medical order

Manufacturing = compounding for long-term inventory and sale that requires a special license

Question 4

What is batching?

Answer 4

Compounding ahead of time in anticipation of outstanding refills

Must keep batching records (manufacturer name, lot numbers, expiration date)

Question 5

Preparation vs Product

Answer 5

Preparation = compounded drug dosage form

Prod

Question 6

How do we compound safely? (4)

Answer 6

• Training
• Triple checking calculations and measurements
• Use master compounding formula sheets, compounding record sheets, standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Adhere to rules/regulations (USP 795)

Question 7

Advantages of Powder Dosage Form (6)

Answer 7

• Tailored doses
• Easily administered to children who cannot swallow tablets or capsules
• Undesirable taste less noticeable in powder form
• Rapid onset (disintegration not required)
• External or internal use
• Can be made into other dosage forms (capsules, tablets, powder for reconstitution, topical, etc.)

Question 8

Comminution

Answer 8

Process of reducing the particle size of a powder which results in a uniform distribution of particle sizes to improve dose accuracy

Question 9

Methods of Comminution (3)

Answer 9

1. Trituration
2. Pulverization by intervention
3. Levigation

Question 10

Trituration

Answer 10

Continuous rubbing or grinding of powder in a mortar with a pestle

Used for hard, fracturable powders

Question 11

Pulverization by Intervention

Answer 11

Uses an intervening solvent to dissolve the powder which is mixed in a mortar or spread on an ointment slab to enhance the evaporation of the solvent so the powder can recrystallize

Used with hard crystalline powders that do not dissolve easily

Question 12

Levigation

Answer 12

Reduces particle size by triturating in a mortar with a small amount of liquid solvent in which the solid is not soluble

Ointments and suspensions

Question 13

Powder Compounding Process (7)

Answer 13

1. Put total tablets needed in a clean glass mortar. Crush and refine to produce a uniform powder
2. Weigh out lactose powder
3. Geometrically triturate tablet mass and lactose in a clean glass mortar
4. Weigh out total weight of powder needed for 1 dose and fold into a powder paper
5. Repeat process for a total of x powder papers
6. Transfer powder papers to dispensing container
7. Label and dispense