Patients' health care solutions can be as unique and diverse as their personalities. Pharmacy compounding combines pharmaceutical knowledge, research and technology to customize medication for individual patients.
Compounding provides pharmacists with a broad scope of medicinal choices. For that reason, compounding pharmacists are able to design medical drugs that are personalized to a patient's specific medical needs and preferences. Here are some of the benefits of pharmacy compounding.
1. Access Alternative Dosage Forms
A patient may want to change the form of their dosage based on their personal preferences or to increase their ease of consumption. For instance, a patient with mouth sores or throat pain may find it easier to take liquid medication rather than having to swallow traditional pills. Other patients may prefer to use a topical cream that functions the same way as a pill or capsule.
A compounding pharmacist will gather all the facts and concerns about a patient, and then prepare a dosage form that makes compliance with doctor-recommended treatment more comfortable.
2. Address Allergies
The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology indicates that adverse drug reactions affect as many as 10 percent
of the world's population, and that number is double for hospitalized patients. If you are intolerant to lactose, dyes, alcohol, sugar or gluten, then you may experience uncomfortable reactions when you take certain medications.
Commercially available drugs may also contain preservatives and fillers that can cause unwanted reactions among consumers. Compounding pharmacy allows for customized medicine devoid of troublesome ingredients, and it still maintains the necessary components to effectively treat the patient.
3. Customize Flavors
When it comes to oral medical products, research
indicates that acceptable palatability is critical for encouraging patient adherence to their course of treatment. Most active medicinal drug ingredients have repelling taste characteristics that can make treatment intolerable.
Compounding pharmacists can flavor medication differently to make it more palatable for consumers. Such allowances are especially handy for stubborn and picky patients such as children, the elderly or pets.
Attempting to change the taste of your medication at home can limit its effect. However, a compounding pharmacist is trained to adjust the flavor of certain medicines without compromising the effectiveness of the medication.
4. Access Discontinued Drugs
Sometimes a large pharmaceutical company discontinues a medication simply because it is no longer profitable — even if the medication is an effective form of treatment. However, what if hundreds or thousands of patients still rely on that discontinued medication?
A compounding pharmacist can recreate a discontinued medicine through the compounding process so that dependent patients can continue to enjoy the relief they get from the drug.
5. Adjust Dosages
Over-the-counter drugs come in specific doses that are based on patients' average needs and production costs. However, this limits the availability of different dosages, which can be detrimental to patients.
A patient may need a higher or lower dose version, or they may need a different dosage at different periods of their treatment. Compounding pharmacists solve this problem by adjusting the drug's dosage and strength as recommended by the patient’s doctor.
When it comes to health, knowledge is power. Being aware of all the possible options available to you can help you make informed decisions about your health care. Knowing a compounding pharmacist near you can prove advantageous, especially if you are in a situation where you cannot find the drugs you need over the counter.
While you may have legitimate concerns about compounded drugs, it might be reassuring to know that the State Boards of Pharmacy and the Federal Food and Drug Administration regulate compounding pharmacies. Therefore, you should only work with a licensed compounding pharmacy. Book an appointment with Medic Pharmacy & Surgical
for expert advice and services.
