Commercially available medicines may not always suit a patient’s individual needs. Our compounding pharmacists work with your prescriber to prepare medicines in an appropriate strength and dosage form when a commercially available option is unsuitable.

Alternative dosage forms may be considered for patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets or taking several medicines, receive medicines through a feeding tube, or have allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients. A prescriber may also request a strength or combination that is not commercially available.

Our compounding pharmacists have undertaken specialised training through the Professional Compounding Chemists of Australia and have experience in preparing individually tailored compounded medicines.

Depending on your prescription and individual needs, formulations may include:

• Capsules – prepared in a prescribed strength or combination of ingredients when a suitable commercial option is unavailable. Certain dyes or fillers may be excluded where appropriate. Capsules may be used for hormone therapy, pain management and combination formulations.

• Creams, gels and ointments – formulations applied to the skin, including over affected joints, or to mucous membranes, as prescribed. For some medicines, topical application may reduce certain side effects compared with oral administration, depending on the medicine, formulation and application site. The base and strength can be tailored to your individual needs.

• Oral liquids and suspensions – options for patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets, such as children or older patients, or require medicines through a feeding tube. Liquids may be flavoured to improve palatability, and certain ingredients, including sugar, gluten and artificial dyes, may be excluded where required and suitable for the formulation.

• Troches – flavoured lozenges that dissolve slowly in the mouth, allowing some medicines to be absorbed through the tissue lining the mouth rather than relying entirely on swallowing and absorption through the digestive tract. Troches may be an option for patients who have difficulty taking tablets or capsules, or for whom injections are unsuitable, where prescribed.

• Nasal sprays – formulations administered through the nose that may allow certain medicines to be absorbed through the nasal lining, bypassing the digestive tract. Depending on the medicine, formulation and individual patient’s needs, prescribed nasal sprays may be easier to administer or offer an alternative when oral administration is unsuitable or not well tolerated, or when a faster onset of action is needed.

• Suppositories – formulations administered rectally or vaginally, as prescribed. Rectal suppositories may offer an alternative when medicines cannot be taken by mouth because of nausea, vomiting, swallowing difficulties or recovery from surgery. Vaginal suppositories may be prescribed for local treatment or other appropriate uses, depending on the medicine and formulation.

How It Works

Your prescriber specifies the required formulation, including the medicine, strength and dosage form. Our compounding pharmacists, who have undertaken specialised training through the Professional Compounding Chemists of Australia, prepare your medicine according to your individual prescription and let you know when it is ready. Please ask our pharmacists about the estimated preparation time when dropping off your prescription at the pharmacy or uploading it online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is a compounded medicine suitable for me, and is it safe to take?
A compounded medicine may be considered when commercially available medicines do not meet your individual needs. Our compounding pharmacists, who have undertaken specialised training through the Professional Compounding Chemists of Australia, prepare your medicine according to your prescription using pharmaceutical-grade ingredients. Speak with your prescriber and our pharmacists about whether a compounded medicine is suitable for you, its potential benefits and risks, including side effects, and how to use it correctly.

Q2. Can flavours be added to children’s liquid medicines?
Yes – we can flavour oral liquids and troches to improve palatability, especially for children, where suitable for the formulation. Speak with our pharmacists about your child’s flavour preferences and any allergies or sensitivities.

Q3. Should compounded liquids be stored in the refrigerator?
Storage requirements vary depending on the preparation. Follow the instructions on your medicine’s label, and speak with our pharmacists if you have any questions about storage or the expiry date.

Q4. Will my health fund cover the cost of a compounded medicine?
Cover depends on your health fund and policy. Please check with your health fund. Our team can provide information about your prescription to assist your enquiry.

Ready to start? Speak with your prescriber or our compounding pharmacists about your individual needs. If you have a prescription, upload it to request a quote.

185 Domain Road, South Yarra, VIC, 3141

Visit our other pharmacy, Botanical Compounding Pharmacy West Melbourne, for the same trusted care and personalised service.

Find us at 470 Spencer Street West Melbourne VIC 3003