Extemporaneous preparation

The extemporaneous preparation, generally of a medication, is that which is carried out at the time of its use, since otherwise its active ingredients are lost.

The extemporaneous preparation of a medication usually results in a pharmaceutical solution.

The grams that the product contains to prepare a certain number of milliliters (mL) of extemporaneous suspension are usually indicated, as well as the amount of active ingredient contained in a certain number of milliliters of reconstituted extemporaneous suspension.

It is common for medications that are sold as powders to prepare suspensions to be considered extemporaneous preparations. An example of them are children's oral antibiotics. These consist of a powder to which a certain amount of water must be added to prepare the suspension. This type of preparation is valid for 7 days if it is kept outside of a refrigerator and 14 days if it is kept inside a refrigerator.

These are examples:

• Azitromicin, although there are currently Azitromicin preparations that are long-lasting suspensions (Azilide®).
• Claritromycin
• Eritromycin
• Amoxicillin
• Ampicillin
• Cefalexine
• Cefadroxilo
• Cefixima
• Cefaclor, although there are currently Cefaclor preparations that are long-lasting suspensions (Ceclor®).
• Cefuroxima