What is compounding?

 

Pharmacy compounding is the practice of preparing customized medications tailored to a single patient's specific needs. At Tarrytown Pharmacy in Austin, Texas, our licensed compounding pharmacists combine, mix, or alter pharmaceutical ingredients to create medications in strengths, forms, and flavors that aren't commercially available otherwise. 

Whether you need a medication that isn't mass-produced or a pediatric formula a child will actually take, compounding makes personalized healthcare possible, and it has been part of what we do at Tarrytown Pharmacy since we opened our doors in 1941.

Compounding, Defined

A compounded medication is prepared from scratch by a specially trained pharmacist based on a prescription written by a licensed healthcare provider. Unlike one-size-fits-all drugs produced by large pharmaceutical manufacturers, compounded prescriptions are prepared for the specific needs of individual patients  

The process generally involves:   

  • Reviewing the prescription from the patient’s provider  

  • Sourcing high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients   

  • Preparing the medication in a controlled lab environment   

  • Pharmacists quality-checking final formulations

  • Third-party potency and quality assurances

Tarrytown Pharmacy is one of the leading compounding pharmacies in Austin and the state of Texas, with a dedicated lab and a team focused exclusively on custom formulations.

 

 

What Kinds of Medications Does Tarrytown Pharmacy Compound?

Our Austin compounding lab prepares prescriptions across a wide range of therapeutic areas. Below are the specialties our team works in most often.

 

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Customized hormone formulations for men and women addressing symptoms of menopause, andropause, thyroid imbalance, and adrenal dysfunction.

 

Pediatric Compounding

Kid-friendly flavors, dye-free formulations, and appropriate dosing for children who can't swallow pills or tolerate commercial flavoring.

 

Dermatology

Topical creams, ointments, and gels for melasma, rosacea, scarring, hair loss, and other skin conditions — often combining multiple active ingredients in a single formulation.

 

Gastroenterology

Customized oral suspensions, rectal ointments and creams, and targeted therapies for conditions such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Hemorrhoids, Anal Fissures, and Eosinophilic esophagitis.

 

Additional Specialties

Tarrytown Pharmacy also compounds for autism-related therapies, dentistry, veterinary care, endocrine disorders, fibromyalgia, hospice and palliative care, infertility, podiatry, postpartum care, proctology, sports medicine, and urology/urogynecology.  You can see the full list on our compounding services page.

 

Is Compounding Safe?

Yes. Compounded medications are prepared by licensed pharmacists following strict standards set by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). At Tarrytown Pharmacy, our compounding pharmacists and technicians are specifically trained in non-sterile compounding, and we source ingredients only from reputable, FDA-registered suppliers.

You can meet the people behind every compounded prescription on our compounding pharmacist and compounding pharmacy technician pages.

 

Why Choose Tarrytown Pharmacy for Compounding in Austin?

 

More Than 80 Years of Austin Pharmacy Experience

Tarrytown Pharmacy has been a fixture in West Austin since 1941, still family-owned and operated by the Newberry family. Learn more about our history.

 

A Dedicated Compounding Department

We maintain a separate compounding lab with its own phone line and a team focused exclusively on custom formulations. You can reach our compounding department directly at (512) 473-8488.


 

Local Convenience in West Austin

We're located at 2727 Exposition Blvd in the Tarrytown neighborhood, and we offer Austin prescription delivery and shipping so you can get your compounded medication without an extra trip.

 

How to Get a Compounded Prescription

 

  1. Talk to your provider. Ask whether a compounded medication could be right for your situation. We're happy to consult with your doctor directly about possible formulations.

  2. Send the prescription to Tarrytown Pharmacy. Your provider can fax, call, or electronically send the prescription to our compounding department at (512) 473-8488.

  3. Transfer an existing prescription. Already getting a compounded medication filled elsewhere? Transfer it to Tarrytown Pharmacy.   

  4. Pick up or have it delivered. 

  5. Refill future compounded prescriptions through our online refill system or schedule home delivery.


 

Frequently Asked Questions About Compounding

 

What is a compounding pharmacy?

A compounding pharmacy is a pharmacy that prepares customized medications from individual ingredients based on a licensed provider's prescription, rather than only dispensing mass-produced commercial drugs.

 

How long does a compounded prescription take to fill?

Most non-sterile compounded prescriptions at Tarrytown Pharmacy are ready within one to three business days, depending on the complexity of the formulation and ingredient availability.

 

Do I need a prescription for compounded medication?

Yes. All compounded medications require a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider — including compounded medications for pets, which require a prescription from a licensed veterinarian.

 

Can Tarrytown Pharmacy compound medication for my pet?

Yes. We regularly prepare veterinary compounds, including flavored liquids, oral capsules, and transdermal gels, based on prescriptions from licensed veterinarians. 

 

Where is Tarrytown Pharmacy's compounding lab located?

Our compounding lab is located inside Tarrytown Pharmacy at 2727 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX 78703, serving patients throughout Austin and Central Texas.

 

Questions About Compounding? Contact Our Austin Compounding Lab

 

Call our compounding department directly at (512) 473-8488, reach the main pharmacy at (512) 478-6419, or contact us online. You can also stop by 2727 Exposition Blvd, Austin, TX 78703 — we'd love to meet you.