Compounded dermatology prescriptions

Compounded medications are customized prescriptions prepared by licensed pharmacists to meet a specific patient’s needs when an FDA-approved product is not suitable or available. Compounding may involve including several ingredients into the same medications, a drug’s strength or dosage form.

Regular prescription drugs are FDA-approved products made by manufacturers under standardized conditions. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are prepared by pharmacists to meet individual patient requirements under a prescriber’s direction.

Yes. Your chosen online dermatologist may prescribe a compounded medication when it’s medically appropriate for a patient’s specific needs and there isn’t a suitable FDA-approved option available.

Yes. A compounded medication can include more than one active ingredient when prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. The pharmacist combines the ingredients according to the prescription to meet the patient’s specific needs. However, compounded medications are not reviewed or approved by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality.

Yes. One of the main purposes of compounding is to prepare medications without specific ingredients that a patient needs to avoid.

Some patients prefer compounded medications because they can combine multiple prescribed ingredients into one product, which may simplify their skincare routine and make it easier to follow their doctor’s treatment plan.

Disclaimer: Compounded medications are not reviewed or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety, effectiveness, or quality.

Yes. Compounded medications must be prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider for a specific patient.

Compounded medications have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality. Their safety depends on the pharmacy’s adherence to professional standards and applicable state and federal regulations. Patients should use only reputable, properly licensed compounding pharmacies.

Only licensed pharmacists or other qualified personnel working under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist may prepare compounded medications, and they must comply with federal and state compounding standards.

No. Compounded medications are not reviewed or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety, efficacy, or quality.

Pharmacists follow compounding standards such as those outlined in U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) chapters <795>, <797>, and <800>. These include requirements for cleanliness, accurate ingredient measurement, and documentation. Pharmacies may also perform internal or third-party testing for potency and sterility.

Coverage varies by insurer. Some plans may reimburse certain compounded prescriptions, while others may not. Patients should contact their insurance provider for details.

Compounded medications can be prepared as creams, ointments, gels, capsules, troches, other dosage forms, depending on what your dermatologist requests.

The shelf-life of compounded medications is typically shorter than the expiration dates on manufactured drugs. The pharmacist determines these dates based on stability data and USP standards. Always follow the labeled storage and discard instructions.

Follow the storage directions on the prescription label. Some compounds must be refrigerated; others should be kept at room temperature away from light and moisture.

Yes. If a dermatologist in the Miiskin network prescribes a compounded medication, you can purchase it online from Foothills Professional Pharmacy and have it delivered directly to your door.

Pharmacists use precise measuring and mixing procedures to ensure accurate formulations. However, since compounded medications are not FDA-approved, their potency is not verified through FDA testing. Patients should use only pharmacies that follow USP standards and quality-assurance practices.

Compounding pharmacies are regulated by state boards of pharmacy and must also comply with federal standards under sections 503A or 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as well as USP compounding guidelines.

If you’re interested in a compounded dermatology medication, you can have an online consultation with a dermatologist. Once your prescription is issued, you can purchase it through Foothills Pharmacy.

Some pharmacies conduct potency, sterility, or stability testing, either internally or through third-party labs. Such testing is not required for every compound but is part of best-practice quality assurance.