Why do compounded medications (in capsule form) use fillers?

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When I pick up my low-dose compounded prescription, the capsules are always full. Why not have a few grains of a medication in an otherwise empty capsule shell? (Especially since I’ve heard that some people can have reactions to various fillers used.)

Thanks in advance for any knowledge and perspectives!

In: Chemistry

Anonymous 0 Comments

Generally it‘s easier to measure/weigh larger amounts. 3 instead of 2 grains of active compound in a pill means a 50% overdose. If you first dilute the active compound in something harmless, a grain more or less of that new mix won‘t make a difference.

More ELI5:
Small grains are hard to measure, if you mix them with something else first you can use a scale to get the right amount. Just like when you‘re adding hot sauce to food: if the sauce is very very hot (= pure drug compound), even a tiny spritz will be spoiling your entire meal. But if the sauce has less spice in it (diluted drug compound) it‘s much easier to get the correct amount for your taste.

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