How should excess ingredients be handled after compounding?

In sterile compounding, the handling of excess ingredients is critical for maintaining the integrity of the compounded preparation and ensuring patient safety. Discarding excess ingredients is essential to prevent the risk of contamination. When an ingredient is used in the compounding process, the handling and exposure it undergoes can introduce potential contaminants, compromising sterility.

By discarding any excess ingredients, you mitigate the risk of cross-contamination and ensure that any remaining components do not compromise future compounded preparations. This practice adheres to strict guidelines laid out in USP <797>, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sterile environment and preventing the possibility of microbial growth or chemical degradation in compounded products.

In contrast, saving excess materials for future use, returning them to their original containers, or storing them separately could lead to breaches in sterility and quality, posing significant risks to patient safety and violating established compounding protocols.