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4 Tips for Selecting Compounding Pharmacy Labels

4 Tips For Selecting Compounding Pharmacy Labels

According to the APA (American Pharmacist Association) of the approximately 56,000 individual pharmacies in the U.S. only about 7,500 pharmacies specialize in compounding services. While that may not seem like a lot, compounding is also performed in hospital pharmacies and at other health care centers. Not all patients require compounded prescriptions, but those who do should be assured they are getting not just the right dosage, but the proper labeling to make sure the medicine is taken as intended by their physician. For pharmacies that perform compounding, we put together four special considerations that should be made when choosing compounding pharmacy labels.

1. Shake Before Using or Don’t Shake Before Using

Compounding pharmacies commonly prepare liquid suspensions of commonly prescribed classes of medications, from antibiotics to pain killers. In some cases, shaking the container may disrupt the suspension. In other cases, shaking the container may be necessary to achieve the right suspension. The correct action for taking the medicine should printed clearly on the label.

2. Combination of Medicines in the Compound

When compounded medications contain two or more drugs, the percentage of each drug should ideally be listed on the label. This lets the patient know how much of each medication is in the dose volume, which helps the patient dialogue with physicians about the medicine’s effects. For example, if diazepam is included to produce calm, and the effect is not strong enough, or the effect is too strong, the medication percentage can be discussed with the doctor and altered, as needed.

3. Airborne Particulate in Pharmacy Clean Rooms

To prepare compound medications, pharmacies commonly use “clean rooms” that have an exceptionally low level of airborne particulate matter. Using a special air filtration system and special pharmacist’s attire can help eliminate particulates, but so can the type of compounding pharmacy labels that are used. Synthetic labels that emit no particulates are an ideal choice.

4. Warning Indicators for Prescription Combinations

Some compounded medications contain so many ingredients that it’s hard for patients to tell whether the preparation can be taken safely with other meds. Especially when central nervous system (CNS) depressants, amphetamine-based drugs, blood thinners, and antidepressants are involved, compounding pharmacy labels should warn the patient of critical drug interactions.

To simplify the matter, a warning label could instruct the patient to consult a physician before adding other medicines, whether they are over the counter (OTC) or prescribed by a different doctor. This information can also be communicated by the pharmacist. The doctor or pharmacist may be able to provide of list of drugs that shouldn’t be taken with the compound.

Need Compounding Pharmacy Labels?

If your pharmacy performs medication compounding and needs a new label supplier, Shamrock Labels has the technology and experience to provide what you need. The label considerations above are just a few of the important compound medication concerns that our labels can address.

Shop our compounding pharmacy labels today

Contact or Call Us: (800) 323-0249

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