What is a common method of sterilization used in compounding pharmacies?

Filtration sterilization is a widely used method in compounding pharmacies because it effectively removes microorganisms from solutions without the application of heat, which can be destructive to certain thermolabile compounds. This method involves passing the solution through a filter with a pore size small enough to capture bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens, ensuring that the final product is sterile and safe for patient use.

In compounding pharmacies, maintaining the sterility of solutions is critical, particularly for those intended for intravenous use. By utilizing filtration sterilization, pharmacists can prepare sterile products such as injections and infusions that require strict adherence to safety and quality standards. This method is often preferred for heat- or radiation-sensitive materials that cannot withstand conventional sterilization processes.

Other methods mentioned, like cold storage and irradiation, either do not achieve the desired level of sterility for compounding purposes or are less frequently applied in this context. Cold storage helps maintain the integrity of certain drugs but does not sterilize them, while irradiation can alter the pharmacological activity of some compounds and is less practical for routine applications in pharmacies. Ultrasonication, while useful for certain purposes, is not primarily employed as a sterilization technique and does not guarantee sterility in the same manner as filtration.