You just received your animal's custom-compounded medication—but how long is it good for? If you're confused about how long you can safely use it, you're not alone. That’s where the Beyond-Use Date (BUD) comes in.
At Mixlab, we’re committed to helping pet parents, animal owners and veterinarians understand the details that matter most to their animals' health. In this post, we’ll explain what a BUD is, why it’s different from an expiration date, and how Mixlab ensures all medications are both safe and effective.
A Beyond-Use Date (BUD) is the date after which a compounded medication should no longer be used. It’s not the same as an expiration date you might see on a manufactured drug. Instead, BUDs are assigned based on:
USP Guidelines: The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) provides official standards for assigning BUDs based on sterility, formulation type, and storage conditions.
Stability Data: Scientific literature and in-house testing help determine how long a compound stays safe and effective.
Risk Factors: Ingredients, storage container, exposure to light or moisture, and temperature all affect a medication’s stability.
Regulatory Requirements: Guidelines from state pharmacy boards, the FDA, and NABP’s Verified Pharmacy Program (VPP) also shape BUD standards.
Mixlab goes above and beyond to ensure every prescription is labeled with the most accurate, science-backed beyond-use-date possible. Here’s how:
We Follow Rigorous Guidelines: We comply with USP <795>, <797>, and <800> standards for sterile and non-sterile compounding. These guidelines help ensure your animal's medications are compounded safely and accurately.
We Validate Internally: Our pharmacists and compliance team conduct regular in-house BUD testing to verify the stability of different formulations.
Advanced Packaging & Storage Solutions: To help preserve potency, Mixlab uses tamper-evident, light-resistant, and temperature-controlled packaging tailored to each medication.
Transparent BUD Labeling: Every Mixlab label clearly shows the assigned BUD along with storage instructions, so you know exactly how to store and administer your pet’s medication with confidence.
Customized Compounding for Optimal Stability: Whenever possible, our team selects formulations designed for maximum stability without compromising effectiveness—helping reduce waste and improve treatment consistency.
Understanding BUDs helps ensure medications are used within their safe and effective timeframe—every time. And with Mixlab, you can feel confident that each prescription is handled with precision and care.
Download our BUD Guidance Sheet for non-sterile preparations
Download our BUD FAQs for sterile preparation