Compounding

Understand made-to-order medicine.

A medicine made to order needs a specific explanation. Ask what it changes for your care and why the need cannot be met with a ready-made product.

Trace the preparation

Your medical need

Reason for compounding

Named maker

Keep the reason with the product name.

Read the offer

Know what has been reviewed

As of September 2026, medicine made to order is not FDA-approved. Before marketing, FDA does not review how well that medicine works, its quality or its safety. FDA on medicine made to order

FDA says this may meet a need when an approved medicine cannot do so, or when that product is not on the market. FDA on the role of compounding

Ask why this choice was proposed for you. Then ask what approved options were considered.

Ask what need the preparation would meet. Ask what approved options were considered.

Look more closely

Ask about the exact ingredient

As of September 2026, federal rules limit the raw drug ingredients a regular compounding pharmacy can use. FDA’s rules for ingredients

A raw ingredient is the material used to make the medicine. Ask about that material as well as the pharmacy’s license.

FDA’s position as of September 2026 is that federal law forbids using retatrutide or cagrilintide in compounding. FDA on these ingredients

Get every active ingredient name in writing. Ask the pharmacy to explain the basis for using it.

Carry this forward

Do not rely on an old shortage claim

As of September 2026, FDA does not list semaglutide injections or tirzepatide as being in shortage. FDA on the ended shortages

As of September 2026, a pharmacist or doctor cannot make copies of ready-made medicines as a regular part of the business, or in large amounts. A copy is a made-to-order version of a medicine already sold ready-made. A change for one named patient can be an exception when the prescriber decides it makes an important difference for that patient. FDA on the rules for copies

For example, a patient may need a medicine without a dye they are allergic to. Ask what would change in your medicine and why that change matters for you.

FDA says adding a vitamin may still leave the medicine largely a copy, as checked in September 2026. FDA on added vitamins

Ask for the reason that applies now. Keep the reply tied to the exact product and your own need.

Ask for the current basis for the preparation. Ask what difference is documented for your care.

Keep in mind

The chapter recap

Keep the reason for compounding beside the name of the maker. Ask for the current rule behind the offer.

Examine the evidence