Which of the following terms refers to different salts or complexes of the same active ingredient?

The correct term that refers to different salts or complexes of the same active ingredient is pharmaceutical alternatives. These alternatives may include variations in the formulation of a drug that result from modifications in the salt form, the complex form, or other similar variations that alter the drug's properties but retain the same active ingredient.

Pharmaceutical alternatives are important in clinical settings because they can be used to achieve different pharmacokinetic profiles or to enhance the solubility and stability of a drug. Understanding this term is essential for healthcare professionals to optimize medication therapy for patients, especially in cases where specific formulations may be more suitable for individual patients based on their unique needs or health conditions.

The other terms do not accurately represent this concept. Pharmaceutical equivalents refer to products that contain the same active ingredient in the same dosage form and strength but may have different inactive ingredients. Generic formulations are chemically identical versions of brand-name drugs that are marketed after the original patent expires. Compounded medications refer to drugs that are custom-made in a pharmacy to meet the specific needs of a patient. Thus, pharmaceutical alternatives precisely encompasses the idea of differing salts or complexes of an active ingredient.