Non-Sterile Compounding
Preparation of compounded medications that do not need to be sterile, such as oral suspensions, capsules, and topical creams.
Non-sterile compounding covers preparation of medications that are not required to be free of microbial contamination, including oral suspensions, capsules, troches, and topical creams. Non-sterile compounding is governed by USP standards (notably USP <795>).
Most compounded prescriptions are non-sterile. Common examples include flavored oral suspensions, custom-strength capsules, troches, and topical creams, gels, and ointments.
Non-sterile compounding still operates under USP standards and state board of pharmacy oversight. The pharmacy is responsible for ingredient sourcing, quality control, and accurate preparation.
Patients interact with non-sterile compounding the same way as a traditional prescription: the prescriber writes the order, and the pharmacy prepares the formulation for the named patient.