formulation / compounding
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formulation
An exact instruction or formula for the composition of a mixture of substances, precisely specifying the ingredients and their proportions. The term is used especially in pharmacy, chemistry, and cosmetics.
Der Apotheker mischte die Salbe genau nach der ärztlichen Rezeptur.
The pharmacist mixed the ointment exactly according to the doctor's formulation.
compounding
The work area in a pharmacy where medicines are prepared according to a doctor's prescription or standardized formulas; also the process of this preparation itself.
Die neue pharmazeutisch-technische Assistentin wird heute in die Rezeptur eingearbeitet.
The new pharmaceutical technical assistant is being trained in compounding today.
Careful: 'Rezeptur' is normally not the English 'recipe' for cooking. A 'Rezeptur' (formulation) is an exact, professional formula in pharmacy or chemistry. For a cooking recipe, you use the German word 'das Rezept' (recipe).
Ich habe ein tolles Rezept für einen Schokoladenkuchen gefunden.
I found a great recipe for a chocolate cake.
You can distinguish the two meanings well from context. If someone talks about working 'in der Rezeptur' (in compounding), the work area in the pharmacy is meant. If someone talks about making something 'nach einer Rezeptur' (according to a formulation), the formula is meant.
Der Apotheker arbeitet in der Rezeptur.
The pharmacist works in compounding.
In the meaning 'Formel' (formula), 'Rezeptur' (formulation) is a technical term. It is used especially in pharmacy, chemistry, cosmetics, or food technology for an exactly defined composition.
Die genaue Rezeptur des Getränks ist ein gut gehütetes Geheimnis.
The exact formulation of the drink is a well-kept secret.
recipe / prescription
A Rezept is a doctor's instruction to a pharmacy to give a specific patient a medication. Rezeptur, by contrast, specifies the exact composition and quantities of a mixture of substances. Rezept is therefore appropriate for dispensing the medication to the patient, while Rezeptur refers to the formula used to make it.
Für die Herstellung derselben Salbe nennt die Rezeptur die genauen Mengen aller Bestandteile.
To make the same ointment, the formulation specifies the exact amounts of all the ingredients.
Die Patientin legt in der Apotheke das Rezept für ihre Salbe vor.
The patient presents the prescription for her ointment at the pharmacy.
