Compounding and Giving Medications and Supplements
1. Introduction
2. Device #1
3. Device #2
4. Administering Medications and Supplements
1. Introduction
Here is a method for achieving desired dosages. Procure transparent gelcaps (I use #3) from a
compounding pharmacy or via the Internet. Then construct one or both of the following devices.
Device #1 is simplest to make and work with. It is appropriate when the amount of fill in the gel
cap takes up a significant portion of the long part of the gel cap or when both the long and short
part of the gel cap will hold fill. Device #2 requires somewhat finer work to construct, but
permits the entire gel cap to be seen while it is being filled. This is necessary if smaller
amounts* of fill are involved.
*Note: An alternative to working with small amounts of fill is to add a neutral substance, such as
corn starch, to the crushed medication or supplement and mix thoroughly. In this way, the
amount of fill being worked with becomes larger and easier to measure. A mortar and pestle is a
good (although not necessary) investment for someone doing his or her own compounding.
2. Device #1
Draw two lines 1 inch or more apart lengthwise along a strip of wood approximately 3/8 inch
thick. Drill two rows of ten holes at least ½ inch apart along both lines. One row of holes should
be large enough to accommodate the long end of whatever size of gel cap you will be using. The
other row of holes should be slightly larger because the short end of the gel cap is larger in
circumference than the long end. . Lay the strip centered on a thicker, wider piece of wood.
Nail. Crush pills or empty capsules into the fold of a stiff paper like that of an index card. To
(e.g., ) make 50mg capsules from a 300mg pill, “load” the smaller holes with the long half of 6
gel caps. Fill each equally, tamping down with the head of a nail slightly smaller than the gel cap
opening. If the amount of fill exceeds what will fit in the long end alone, use the second row of
larger holes to hold the short end of the gel cap. Store the compounded capsules for later
administration or for mixing with other capsule-stored medications or supplements, in order to
cut down on the number of pills that the cat needs to get.
Here is a crude representation of Device #1. The larger rectangle is the base of the device. The
two lines in the middle of the rectangle represent the smaller strip of wood with the drilled holes
that has been nailed to the larger piece of wood forming the base
3. Device #2
Draw one line lengthwise along a strip of wood about 3/8 inch thick. The line should be near to
one end of the strip of wood. Drill ten holes along the line at least 3/4 inch apart. The holes
should be slightly larger than the circumference of the long end of the gel cap size you will be
using. Draw a second line that will just barely leave an open end to the holes you have drilled,
allowing exposure of the full length of the gel cap. With a fine tooth saw, cut carefully along the
line. Lay the strip of wood on a larger piece of wood that will form the base of the device so that
the side of the strip with the holes lines up with the edge of the larger piece. Nail. If your
openings were a little larger than you intended so that gel caps do not want to stay in the holes,
staple or tack a thin strip of clear plastic along the front of the device so that it covers both the
base and the nailed on strip. This will keep your gel caps in place but will still allow you to see
them. Load holes with the long end of gel caps and follow same procedure as with Device #1.
Here is a crude representation of Device #2. The larger rectangle is the base. The smaller
rectangle at one end of the larger rectangle represents the nailed-on strip with the opened holes
on one end.
4. Administering Medications and Supplements
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