What Dentistry Must Learn About Compounded Drugs

From GLP-1 medications to gum therapy, the surge in compounded drugs raises critical issues for patient safety and professional responsibility.

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Compounded drugs, like minocycline gels, lack FDA approval and may pose significant safety and efficacy risks compared to FDA-approved alternatives.
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Compounding practices are not standardized, leading to potential dosing errors and unpredictable release rates, which can harm patient health.
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Dentists must disclose the use of compounded drugs to patients, as failure to do so may result in malpractice liability.
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The FDA prohibits compounding drugs that are essentially copies of approved medications unless there is a documented medical need.
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Patient safety is paramount; using untested compounded drugs instead of proven treatments like Arestin undermines trust and care standards.

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