| Pharmacy compounding is the art and
science of preparing customized medications for patients
that dates back to the origins of pharmacy. The introduction
of drug manufacturing in the 50's and 60's resulted in
the decline of prescription compounding. But the distinct
need for compounding in pharmacy still exists and is becoming
more important as modern technology and innovative techniques
and research have allowed compounding pharmacists to become
"problem solvers", able to customize medications
to meet specific patient needs.
There are several reasons why pharmacists compound
prescription medications; yet, the most important one
is patient noncompliance. Many patients are allergic
to preservatives or dyes, or are sensitive to standard
drug strengths. With a physician's consent, a compounding
pharmacist can change the strength of a medication,
alter its form to make it easier for the patient to
ingest, and add flavor to it to make it more palatable.
The pharmacist also can prepare the medication using
several unique delivery systems, such as a sublingual
troche or lozenge, a lollipop, or a transdermal gel.
Or, for those patients who are having a difficult time
swallowing a capsule, a compounding pharmacist can make
a suspension instead.
The compounding pharmacist is also able to prepare
medications that are unavailable as a manufactured drug
product, such as bio-identical hormones and their alternative
dosage forms and routes of administration. Also compounders
are able to prepare drug products that are unavailable
from drug manufacturers for long periods of time, or
drug products that have been discontinued by large drug
companies because they are no longer economically feasible
but still needed by physicians and their patients.
Often parents have a tough time getting their children
to take their medicine because of the taste. A compounding
pharmacist can work directly with the physician and
the patient to select a flavoring agent, such as vanilla
butternut or tutti frutti, that provides both an appropriate
match for the medication's properties and the patient's
taste preferences. Compounding pharmacists also have
helped patients who are experiencing chronic pain. For
example, arthritic patients who cannot take certain
medications due to gastro intestinal side effects. Working
with their physician, a compounding pharmacist can provide
them with a topical preparation with the anti-inflammatory
or analgesic their doctor prescribed for them. Compounded
prescriptions often are used for pain management in
hospice care.
Compounders focus on meeting special needs. The ultimate
goal in preparing any of these customized medications
is to help the physician and patient achieve a more
positive therapeutic outcome and patient compliance.
Contact
us today for more information and to discuss your particular
situation.
Compounding For Pain Management
Personalized Relief
The Compounding Solution: Struggling
through chronic pain problems like arthritis, fibromyalgia,
migraine headaches, plus nerve and muscle pain does
not have to be a daily activity. There’s a better
solution…pharmacy compounding, a customized option
for pain medication.
Alternate Dosages: Many commonly prescribed
pain relief medications help the symptoms associated
with chronic conditions such as arthritis, but they
can also result in stomach irritation and other unwanted
side effects. Compounding can provide alternate methods
of delivery by combining the ingredients of traditional
oral pain medications in a topical gel, cream or spray
form that can be applied directly to the site of the
pain.
Combined Formulations: Often, fibromyalgia
patients are placed on a variety of medications to take
care of all the symptoms associated with the disease.
On many occasions, these multiple products can be eliminated
by a specially prepared compound that combines several
medications into a single topical gel, ready to be applied
directly to the affected areas.
Strength Variations: Because patients
vary in size, symptoms and pain tolerance, commercially
available medications often do not provide appropriate
dosage strengths. Through compounding, a physician and
pharmacist can customize a medication to the exact amount
needed for the patient.
Pain can be debilitating, whether it is acute muscle
or nerve pain resulting from an accident, or a chronic
condition such as arthritis or fibromyalgia. Pharmacy
compounding is effective in providing relief with potentially
fewer side effects and less overall medication.
Through Compounding, the Relief of Pain May be Attainable,
and Can Be Customized to Your Specific Needs. Contact
us today for more information and to discuss your particular
situation.
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