Compounding FAQs and Facts To Know

When humans like us need to fill a prescription, most of us head to a big box store, our local neighborhood strip mall pharmacy, one of those national drug store chains, or an online delivery service. While these common pharmacies serve humans perfectly well, our pets –with their varied breeds, distinct needs, and diverse weights–require specialized care. This is where a compounding pharmacy, like Wedgewood, comes in.

Wedgewood Pharmacy is the leading and largest compounding pharmacy in the U.S devoted exclusively to animal health. And because “one size doesn’t fit all,” we deliver customized care to each unique animal by providing the right medication, in the right way.

Here we will answer some common questions about what compounding pharmacies like Wedgewood Pharmacy are, what they do, and how they can improve the lives of animals and those who love and care for them.

Veterinary compounding pharmacies, such as Wedgewood, specialize in meeting the unique needs of pets, veterinarians, and pet owners. Unlike typical pharmacies, these establishments don't just dispense commercial medications. Instead, they expertly craft customized medications tailored to individual animals. They consider various factors, including the animal's species, weight, the veterinarian's recommendations, and the ease with which a pet owner can administer the medication.

The biggest advantage to using a veterinary compounding pharmacy is that they can customize medications specific to you and your pet’s needs.

Compounding pharmacies can create different forms of medication to help with more exact dosing and easier administration. Afterall, the medicine won’t do any good if you can’t get your pet to take it.

• QuadTabs: Quarter-scored tablets for maximum flexibility in oral dosing.
• Gourmeds: Flavored chewable oral tablets.
• MediMelts: Flavored oral tablets that disintegrate rapidly on the tongue.
• Twist-a-Taste: Oral gel pens that dispense a tasty, flavored medicated gel. Just right for rabbits, rodents, and other pocket pets.
• Oral Suspensions: Water based oral suspension with a variety of flavoring options.
• Twist-a-Dose Transdermal Gel: A transdermal applicator that gives easy and correct dosing every time.
• EZ Dose Micro Transdermal Gel: A transdermal applicator designed for easy handling and accurate dosing.
• Otic Ointments: Medicated, semi-solid ointment administered to the ear.
• Polox-A-Gel Otic: Ear liquid medication that turns into a gel at room or body temperature.

Every animal is unique and special. They have individual needs, personalities, and behaviors. Veterinarians want to give specific care to each unique animal, so oftentimes, “one size fits all” just won’t do. That is when they rely on compounding pharmacies to individualize the right medication, in the best form for your pet to take it.

In simple terms, these specialized pharmacies formulate medications to match the exact strength and form prescribed by veterinarians. This precise approach ensures every pet receives the right dosage, optimizing treatment outcomes and alleviating challenges faced by pet owners during administration.

In other words, these specially trained and licensed pharmacists prepare medicines to meet the strength your veterinarian prescribes in the form easiest to administer for that particular animal. This reduces the risk of giving your pet too much or too little of a drug and makes it easier for you to administer to an uncooperative pet.

At Wedgewood, we recognize the distinctiveness of every pet, their owners, and veterinarians. This understanding fuels our commitment to provide a vast array of customized compounded and select commercial medications as well as a world-class customer experience.

Whether you require meticulously crafted compounds, ready-made solutions, or anything in between, our promise is simple: to ensure timely delivery of the perfect medication, administered in an ideal form, so every pet gets the care they rightfully deserve.

Many of Wedgewood’s medications can be made into different forms some of which have been developed by and are proprietary to Wedgewood.

Some reasons veterinarians may prescribe a compounded medication include (but are not limited to) situations like these:


• When needed medications are discontinued by or generally unavailable from pharmaceutical manufacturers, often because the medications are no longer profitable to them.
• When the pet is allergic to certain preservatives, dyes, or binders in available off-the-shelf medications.
• When treatment requires tailored dosage-strengths for pets with unique needs (for example, puppies/kittens, senior pets, or pets that are of a larger or smaller breed).
• When a pharmacist can combine several medications into one form to make administration and compliance easier.
• When the pet cannot ingest the medication in its commercially available form, a pharmacist can prepare the medication in cream, liquid, or other form that the animal can easily take.
• When medications require flavor additives to make them more palatable.

Compounded medications aren’t FDA-approved. However, compounding pharmacies are regulated and monitored by FDA and state boards of pharmacy for quality purposes.

Wedgewood Pharmacy proudly holds accreditations from the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB®) in all of its facilities. This accreditation confirms our strict adherence to both PCAB and other nationally recognized compounding standards. Furthermore, our status as a Preferred Business Provider for the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) reinforces our commitment to delivering compounded medicines of the utmost quality.

When using a compounding pharmacy, it is important to choose a reputable pharmacy that adheres to strict quality control standards. The pharmacy should also be licensed and regulated by the appropriate authorities and comply with the most current guidance and standards.

Yes, a compounded veterinary drug is considered an extra-labeled drug.

When animal drugs are compounded using approved drugs for both animals and humans, they are considered to be used in an extra-label manner. As long as specific regulations are followed, the compounded drug would not be considered "unsafe" or contaminated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

No. You must have a veterinarian’s prescription to get compounded medication, and only pharmacists and in certain cases veterinarians who have the facilities and expertise to compound in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations are allowed to compound drugs for individual pets and animals.

In addition, without the proper training and equipment, it is nearly impossible for pet parents to ensure they are giving an accurate dose or that combining ingredients won’t cause a bad reaction. Trying to compound your pet’s medications on your own could potentially do more harm than good!

Many pets and animals have unique health needs that off-the-shelf prescription medicines simply cannot meet. That, combined with the fact that pharmaceutical manufacturers are producing less animal-health medications than ever before makes the demand for compounded drugs made by licensed and qualified compounding pharmacies even greater.

The best solution for veterinarians and pet owners is customized, compounded medications mixed safely by trained, licensed compounding-pharmacists. Pharmacists are the only healthcare professionals who have studied chemical compatibilities and, in most cases, can prepare alternate dosage-forms. Compounding pharmacies are licensed and regulated in the 50 states and the District of Columbia by their respective state boards of pharmacy.

Wedgewood Pharmacy is the leading and largest compounding pharmacy in the United States devoted exclusively to animal health. Today's Wedgewood Pharmacy:


• Grew from a local community pharmacy,
• Is recognized by 99% of veterinarians,
• Was chosen by 8 in 10 veterinarians within the past year, and
• Serves over 70,000 veterinarians and 1 million animals annually.

Why? Our stringent quality control measures have enabled Wedgewood Pharmacy to become the nation's most trusted veterinary compounding pharmacy.

• We use FDA-registered manufacturers for APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients).
• We exceed USP guidelines for pharmacies related to inspection and testing of incoming materials.
• We have a team of more than 70 pharmacists involved in all aspects of formulation, compounding accuracy, dispensing, and medication consultation.
• Our compounding facilities are PCAB accredited
• We believe every animal deserves the best possible products, made of unmatched quality!

Your veterinarian must first submit a valid prescription to us by phone, fax, or through their online Wedgewood account.

Once we receive the prescription, we will contact you by your preferred means to inform you we have received your pet’s prescription and to obtain payment. After your order is placed, we will begin preparing your medication and ship it right to your door!

Orders can be placed using our easy, mobile-friendly ordering tool, or by phone!

Summary

A veterinary compounding pharmacy, like Wedgewood Pharmacy, specializes in providing medications for pets and animals. They can supply standard medications and customized medications based on specific requirements.

Compounding pharmacies make sure that the medications are prepared in the exact strength and form prescribed by the veterinarian, making it easier for pet parents to give the medication.

The biggest benefit of using a compounding pharmacy is the ability to customize medications to meet the unique needs of each pet and pet owner. Wedgewood Pharmacy offers a wide range of custom compounded and commercial medications, along with convenient delivery options, to make sure that every animal gets the exact care needed.