Compounding Techniques for Topical and Transdermal Preparations
Target Audience: Pharmacist
Course Overview
Pharmaceutical compounding is considered an art and science that involves preparing medications for the unique health needs of individual patients. Compounded nonsterile preparations (CNSPs) encompass many dosage forms, including transdermal and topical preparations. These dosage forms have many benefits in the pharmaceutical care of patients, including convenience, ease of application, and improved medication adherence. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who compound topical and transdermal medications should be well-versed in compounding standards and skilled in the techniques needed to prepare compounds that are effective, safe, and high quality. This continuing education program will review the importance of topical and transdermal preparations, discuss United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards pertaining to these dosage forms, and review techniques related to preparing ointments, creams, pastes, and gels.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Discuss the importance of topical and transdermal dosage forms
- Recall important considerations for preparing transdermal medications
- Identify compounding techniques used to prepare ointments, creams, pastes, and gels
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. USP <795> Pharmaceutical Compounding - Nonsterile Preparations
III. The Topical Route of Administration
Topical Preparations
IV. The Transdermal Route of Administration
Transdermal Preparations
V. Compounding Techniques for Nonsterile Topical Dosage Forms
A. General Techniques
B. Ointments
C. Compounding Techniques
D. Pastes
E. Creams
F. Gels
VI. Patient Counseling Points: Topical Medications
VII. Additional Resources
VIII. The Role of the Pharmacy Technician
IX. Summary
From July 31, 2024 through July 31, 2027, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. Pamela Sardo and Liz Fredrickson have no conflicts of interest or financial relationships regarding the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.