When a medication is not commercially available, what is the process of preparing it by mixing ingredients called?

The process of preparing a medication that is not commercially available by mixing various ingredients is known as extemporaneous compounding. This term specifically refers to the practice of preparing a medication on demand, tailored to the unique needs of a specific patient, and typically involves combining raw ingredients or active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to create a customized dosage form such as a cream, capsule, or solution.

Extended shelf life or commercial unavailability often necessitates this practice, as certain medications may not be commercially available in a specific form or strength needed by a patient. Extemporaneous compounding allows pharmacists to provide individualized therapy that is not otherwise accessible through standard pharmaceutical channels. This approach aligns with the pharmacist's role in patient care, ensuring that patients receive the medication that best suits their therapeutic needs.

The other options, while relevant to pharmaceutical practices, refer to different processes. Trituration involves grinding a substance into a fine powder and is often a step within compounding. Alligation is a method used in pharmacy to calculate the proportions of different concentrations in a combination, typically used for compounding mixtures of solutions. Admixture usually refers to the act of mixing two or more substances but doesn't specifically imply that the preparation is for a medication that is not commercially available.