Final answer:
Cytotoxic drugs should be compounded in a Biological Safety Cabinet or a compounding aseptic containment isolator to ensure safety and maintain drug integrity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cytotoxic drugs must be compounded in a controlled environment known as a Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) or within an isolator specifically designed for handling hazardous drugs. Compounding cytotoxic drugs requires adherence to stringent protocols to ensure both therapeutic efficacy and safety for the pharmacist or technician, as well as to maintain the integrity of the drug. Facilities that handle these drugs often have dedicated areas, such as a compounding aseptic containment isolator (CACI), to minimize exposure to healthcare personnel and the environment.
These stringent environmental controls are necessary not only because of the drugs' toxicity but also due to their physicochemical properties, which can influence solubility and stability. For instance, anticancer drugs can be hydrophobic, causing local toxicity if not adequately dissolved. Conversely, hydrophilic drugs can face challenges such as poor cell internalization and quick degradation in the bloodstream, thus requiring careful compounding to ensure proper delivery to tumor cells.