Download Veterinary Compounding

Veterinary Compounding
Practicum in Pharmacy Technician
Working with Veterinarians
› Historically, veterinarians have practiced medicine
independently of other health care professionals.
› The dispensing of prescription medications for animals was
predominantly done in the veterinarian’s office or animal
hospital.
› Many veterinarians feel threatened by the services offered by
a compounding pharmacy.
Working with Veterinarians
› The compounding of veterinary medications for animals
should be limited to:
– Specialized dosage forms
– Unique dosages that are not readily available to the vet
– Combination therapies that will improve treatment and compliance
› A pharmacy specializing in the compounding of veterinary
medications should be an extension of the vet.
› The compounding pharmacy should not stock commercially
available products such as heartworm meds, de-worming
products, vaccines, or flea and tick preparations.
Compounding Prescriptions for Veterinary Use
› The pharmacist and technicians must become familiar with
the common terms and abbreviations associated with
veterinary medicine and not used in human medicine.
– Example: s.i.d is used in veterinary medicine for once a day.
› Commercially available medications used in the treatment of
animals often have names similar to those used for human
use.
– Example: Anapryl is an anti-psychotic agent used to treat dementia in
canines. Although the spelling is different, the name sounds similar to
enalapril used in humans.
Compounding Prescriptions for Veterinary Use
› It is not always safe to assume that human FDA approved
medications is to be used in an animal to treat the same
disease state for which it is intended for humans.
› Although some medications can be used in both animals and
humans, there are major differences in the pharmacokinetics.
› Proper dosage for each species should be referenced
routinely.
Routes of Administration
› The route of administration will depend on each individual
animal.
› It is imperative that the owner be contacted before deciding
which dosage form the medication should be made into.
› Combining multiple medications that are given on the same
dosing schedule into one dosage unit will make administration
easier and less stressful.
› Examples:
– Dogs usually take traditional oral dosage forms.
– Cats medication can be compounding into a topical gel that is applied
to the hairless areas of the ears.
– Snakes may require medicating a mouse for feeding time.
Owner Considerations
› The owner should also be considered in the dosage form
choices.
› Cost sometimes is a major consideration for people.
› The owner may have a suggestion for ease of administration.
› The owner should be instructed on safe handling of hazardous
drugs.
Medication Flavoring
› Each animal has preferred taste unique to its species.
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Birds tend to like sweet, fruity flavors.
Dogs and Cats like meat, fish, or poultry.
Horses and Cattle prefer sweets and grasses.
Ferrets will eat fish, fruits, and sweets.
Gerbils and rabbits prefer fruits and vegetables.
› It is important to communicate with the owner before
deciding what form and flavor should be prepared.
Unique Challenges
› How could you treat an injured bear in the wild that is in need
of an antibiotic?
› How could you treat an aggressive animal, such as a lion or
tiger at the local zoo in need of an ophthalmic preparation?
› What is a way to give seals, dolphins, whales, and such the
proper medication?
› What are ways to give domestic birds medication?