Compounded Medications

By Elsa Lam, RPh, HC, FDN-P

Golden Health Holistics

. http://www.goldenhealthpharmacy.com/

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Compounded Medications

Most patients get their prescription drugs filled at large chain pharmacies with commercially manufactured pharmaceuticals. However, patients may need something that is not available at those pharmacies. What if patients are allergic to the ingredients used in the drugs? What if they cannot or do not like to swallow pills? Or they need a specific strength of the drug that is not available? A specialty compounding pharmacy can fill the needs of those patients.

Compounding pharmacists are specially trained to prepare medications customized for each person. Pharmacies with membership in Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA) also have access to proprietary bases that boost the absorption rate and efficacy of medications. Look for a pharmacy with a compounding lab that houses specialized equipment to ensure accuracy and quality in their products.

The most common medication compounded for women is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Hormones can be compounded into various dosage forms, such as

• Lotions/gels
• Sustained-release capsules
• Sublingual drops
• Troches
• Vaginal suppositories

PCCA's PracaSil-Plus, a proprietary topical base, is very effective in scar treatment therapy. It can be used alone or as a base in corporation with other drugs to treat burns, old scars, new scars, and surgical scars.

Pain is the most common symptom for which people seek medical help. Many commercially available pain relief pharmaceutical drugs relieve the symptoms associated with chronic conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other nerve and muscle pain. However, the drugs that treat those problems may also have unwanted side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or stomach irritation. A compounding pharmacy can help by formulating a solution that is effective and minimizes side effects.

Pain medications can be compounded into topical gel, cream, or spray that can be applied directly to the site of pain and absorbed through the skin. PCCA's proprietary liposomal base, Lipoderm, used in transdermal compounding, has a quick absorption rate to give patients fast relief. In addition, patients can opt for nasal sprays, suppositories, or custom-flavored troches that dissolve under the tongue.

The next time you see your doctor, ask him or her if your medications can be compounded. Your compounding pharmacist will work with your prescriber on the active pharmaceutical ingredients, flavors, strength, and dosage that best suit your needs.