What is the Difference Between Non-Sterile Compounding and Sterile Compounding?

Compounding drugs is the act of customizing medications for specific purposes.

Costa Mesa, CA (prHWY.com) March 25, 2013 - Compounding drugs is the act of customizing medications for specific purposes. Most medications that are prescribed by doctors and handed out in pharmacies are pre-manufactured and available in set dosage amounts. Compound pharmacies on the other hand customize their medications to the specific needs of the patient, which may include creating medications of various dosage strengths and medications that are available in applications other than pill forms. Compounding medications can also be extremely helpful for patients with specific allergies to certain types of medications. There are two forms of medication compounding: non-sterile compounding and sterile compounding. This article will discuss the differences between the two techniques.

Non-Sterile Compounding Techniques

Despite the name, non-sterile compounding methods are safe. This technique has been used by Compounding pharmacy pharmacists for hundreds of years. It refers to the practice of preparing a specific medication for a patient to swallow in pill form, apply as a topical treatment to their skin or insert the medication under their skin. Although this practice is considered to be non-sterile, it is still performed in a closely monitored environment and under the applications of very strict rules and professional guidelines. The medications are customized according to legal standards that ensure that every pharmaceutical that is used in the medication maintains the proper ingredient potency and purity standards. In addition to creating customized medications that adhere to the industry's and the law's strict standards, non-sterile Compounding pharmacists are also responsible for making sure their mixtures are pure and accurate, that they provide proper labels and medication packages and that they maintain a clean working environment.

Sterile Compounding

The major distinction that separates non-sterile compounding techniques and sterile compounding techniques actually has to do with how the medicine will be administered, rather than how it is compounded. Sterile compounding techniques are used to create customized medications that will either be directly injected into the patient or will be inserted into their eye. These medications carry a high risk of infection or other medical problems, so they are compounded according to sterile rules and regulations. This is due to the fact any bacteria or fungi that are allowed to get into the medication could seriously endanger the patient's life. Sterile compounding practices ensure that all injectable medications and any applications that will be made directly to the eye will be fully sterile and free from even tiny amounts of bacteria or fungi. Sterile compounding usually takes place in a completely clean environment, such as a cleanroom. The pharmacists who are responsible for compounding the Sterile Medication will also wear appropriate safety gear including clothing, face and hair coverings.

Which Technique is Better?

There is no single technique for Pharmaceutical compounding medications that is better than the other. Non-sterile compounding is still performed in a clean environment to avoid contamination. Sterile compounding is just more strict in its rules and applications because there is an increased risk of potentially negative side effects when medications are directly injected into the body or inserted into the eye of the patient. Both techniques produce Compounding drugs and medications that are safe to take.

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Tag Words: sterile compounding, sterile medication, compounding drugs, compounding pharmacy

Categories: Health

Press Release Contact
Contact Name: Harbor Compounding
Email id: Pharmacist@harborcompounding.com
Company: HarborCompounding
Address:2000 Harbor Blvd, Suite C100, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Phone: 9496420106

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