Storage and Stability of Compounded
Drugs
• Consider stability of any additives
• Factors affecting stability:
- Amount of light and air.
- Temperature.
- pH alters longevity.
• Solid forms have longer shelf life than
liquid forms.
- It is easier for a liquid product to degrade
or for its components to separate.
Documentation
• Documentation of records under quality
assurance of FDA guidelines.
• Compounding record (CR): Log
• Formulation record (FR): Recipe
• Date prepared; name of ingredients;
manufacturer of each ingredient; lot
number and expiration date of each
ingredient. [including sterile water]; amount
or weight of each ingredient; dosage form
of each ingredient; pharmacy lot number
assigned; pharmacy expiration date
assigned; date dispensed: patient's name
and medical record number.
• In addition, a step by step recipe is
required, and both the pharmacist and the
technician must initial the records.
Documentation Safety Data Sheets
(SDSs)
• All chemicals should be stored inside
cabinets or behind shelf brackets to avoid
spillage.
• Method of cleaning and disposing of
agents or any equipment used depends on
the type of agents used.
• SDSs contain emergency contact
information in case of spillage or contact.
Professionalism and Quality Control
• Appearance is important - Great care
must be taken when topping off jars of
creams and ointments.
• Packaging affects medication inside
and compliance - Many medications can
degrade with ultraviolet (UV) light
exposure; therefore, they must be placed in
amber colored containers to protect the
medication.
• Follow all storage and labeling guidelines.
Veterinary Medications
• Dosage in a form that avoids stress on the
animal.
• Medication may be mixed into a treat.
- Sticks to administer antibiotics to the
inside of the ear.
- Liquids poured onto pet food.
• Flavorings
- Bacon
- Tuna

Compounding Calculations
• The final product may need to be
prepared in a different strength or volume
than what the recipe lists.
- Standard formulas are provided by
agencies such as Professional Compounding
Centers of America (PCCA).
• Pharmacist or technician will need to
perform calculations to attain the correct
weights and/or volumes for the final
product.