PTCB

Comprehensive study of ptcb covering fundamental concepts and advanced applications.

Advanced Topics

Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding

Crafting Custom Medications

Compounding is the art and science of making personalized medications, either sterile (like IV solutions) or non-sterile (like creams and capsules).

Sterile Compounding

  • Performed in a cleanroom or laminar flow hood
  • Used for injections, eye drops, and IVs
  • Aseptic technique: Prevents contamination and keeps products safe.

Non-Sterile Compounding

  • Includes creams, ointments, capsules, and oral liquids
  • Must follow proper mixing and measuring procedures

Precision and Safety

Every step—from measuring ingredients to labeling—must be exact to ensure patient safety.

Real-World Scenario

A hospital patient can’t swallow pills, so you compound a liquid version of their medication, following strict guidelines.

Examples

  • A technician prepares a sterile IV antibiotic for a hospitalized patient, using aseptic technique.

  • A child needs a flavored liquid medicine, so the technician compounds it from tablet form.

In a Nutshell

Compounding allows pharmacy teams to meet unique patient needs with custom medications.

Key Terms

Aseptic Technique
A method used to prevent contamination by pathogens during sterile compounding.
Compounding
The process of making customized medications for individual patients.