What is a veterinary compounding pharmacy?

A veterinary compounding pharmacy is a licensed pharmacy where pharmacists prepare customized prescription medications for individual animal patients. The pharmacist works from a valid prescription written by a licensed veterinarian and may adjust the medication's strength, dosage form, flavor, or ingredients to meet that animal's specific needs. Veterinary compounding pharmacies operate under federal law and state board of pharmacy oversight.

What does compounding medication for pets mean?

Compounding medication for a pet means that a licensed pharmacist prepares a customized prescription medication for a specific, named animal patient. The medication is prepared according to a veterinarian's instructions and may have a customized strength, dosage form, flavor, or formulation. It is used when commercially available options do not appropriately meet that animal's needs.

What base is used for compounding veterinary medication?

The base used in a compounded veterinary medication depends on the prescribed dosage form, the medication's properties, and the needs of the animal patient. A preparation may use a flavored liquid or suspension, a transdermal gel, a chewable base, a paste, or another form the veterinarian determines is suitable. The compounding pharmacist selects an appropriate base that is compatible with the prescribed medication and delivery method.

Compounded veterinary medicine built for animals, not averages.

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What is veterinary compounding?

Q: Can compounding pharmacies create medications for pets?

Yes. Licensed compounding pharmacies can prepare customized medications for dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, and other animal patients. Depending on the veterinarian's prescription, medications may be prepared as flavored liquids, transdermal gels, chewable treats, pastes, or other dosage forms suitable for the patient. A valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian is required.

Veterinary compounding is the preparation of customized prescription medications for individual animals. A compounding pharmacist works from a prescription written by a licensed veterinarian and prepares the medication in the strength, dosage form and flavor prescribed for that specific patient.

Animals vary widely by species, size and physiology, so their medication needs can differ significantly. Veterinary compounding provides a lawful way to meet those individualized needs when the commercially available options do not match the veterinarian’s prescription. It is performed by licensed pharmacists under federal law and state board of pharmacy oversight.

Why do animals need compounded medications?

The right dose for the animal

A veterinarian may prescribe a compounded medication when an animal needs a dose that is not commercially available, including very small doses for certain breeds or much larger doses for horses and other large animals.

Forms animals can actually take

A dosage form that works well for a person may not work for a cat, dog, horse or other animal. Compounding pharmacists can prepare medications as flavored liquids, transdermal gels, chewable treats, pastes or other forms the veterinarian determines are suitable for the patient.

Support when a medication is unavailable

When a needed medication has been discontinued, is in short supply or is not commercially available for a particular species, a licensed compounding pharmacy may be able to prepare it for that individual animal.

Which animals benefit from compounded medications?

Veterinary compounding can serve animals across species, from household pets to horses, livestock and other large animals. A veterinarian may prescribe a compounded medication when an individual animal’s species, size, physiology or ability to take the medication calls for a strength, dosage form or flavor not commercially available.

Dogs

Compounded medication for dogs: Dogs often benefit from flavored liquids, chewables, and custom strengths that better match their size, treatment plan, and willingness to take medication.

Cats

Compounded medication for cats: Cats can be especially difficult to medicate by mouth. Compounding allows a veterinarian to prescribe options such as flavored liquids or, when appropriate, transdermal preparations applied to the inner ear.

Horses

Compounded medication for horses: Horses often require medications in strengths and quantities suited to their size and physiology. Compounded pastes, liquids, powders, and other customized forms can make treatment more practical.

Rabbits

Compounded medication for rabbits: Few commercial medications are made specifically for rabbits and other small or exotic animals. Compounding pharmacies can prepare appropriately measured strengths and dosage forms based on a veterinarian’s prescription.

Equine-specific preparations address the unique demands of treating horses.

Horses are frequently treated with compounded medications because available commercial formulations are not always appropriate for equine physiology, palatability, or the scale of dosing required. Large-volume oral pastes, pelleted formulations, and preparations calibrated to equine physiological requirements are among the most common forms prepared by veterinary compounding pharmacies.

How is veterinary compounding regulated?

Veterinary compounding operates under the same federal and state regulatory framework that governs human drug compounding. The starting point is a valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian for a specific, named animal patient.

503A compounding pharmacies are traditional compounding pharmacies regulated by their state board of pharmacy. They prepare medications for individual animal patients based on a valid prescription and must meet quality standards published by the United States Pharmacopeia.

503B outsourcing facilities are larger-scale compounding operations regulated directly by the FDA. They can produce medications in larger batches for veterinary hospitals and clinics, and are held to stricter manufacturing standards than 503A pharmacies.

Compounded medications for animals are not FDA-approved products. They are prepared under the regulatory authority of the compounding pharmacy and the prescribing veterinarian.

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Problem / Concern:

Can I order compounded pet meds without a prescription?

No. Compounded medications for animals require a valid prescription written by a licensed veterinarian for a specific, named patient. This is a legal requirement under both federal and state pharmacy law. A veterinarian must have an established Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) with your animal before prescribing any medication, including compounded preparations. Any source claiming to dispense compounded veterinary medications without a prescription is operating outside the law.

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Key terms in veterinary compounding

Understanding a few common terms can make it easier to discuss compounded medications with your veterinarian and pharmacist.

Compounded veterinary preparation

A prescription medication prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacist for a specific named animal patient, based on a veterinarian's prescription.

Drug Shortage

A situation in which a commercially manufactured medication becomes unavailable or is in limited supply. Compounding pharmacies may be able to prepare certain drugs in shortage for patients who depend on them.

Extra-label use

Using an FDA-approved drug for a species, dose, or indication not listed on the label. Extra-label use is legal in veterinary medicine under federal law when prescribed by a licensed veterinarian.

Species-appropriate dosing

A formulation suited to the physiology, tolerances, and dosing requirements of a specific animal species rather than adapted from human or general-purpose pharmaceutical products.

Transdermal gel

A topical preparation that delivers medication through the skin. Commonly applied to the inner ear flap in cats when oral administration is difficult.

VCPR

Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship. A VCPR must exist before a veterinarian can legally prescribe any medication, including compounded preparations.