When it comes to your health, you don’t want to make compromises. That’s why, if retail pharmacies aren’t meeting your medication needs, you should find a reliable compounding pharmacy. Some people have a misconception that retail pharmacy is the only option to get the needed medication. The majority of people indeed rely on commercial drugs available at retail pharmacies. However, not every person is the same and for those with special medical needs, compounding pharmacies exist. Unlike a retail pharmacy that sells mass-produced drugs, compounding pharmacy offers tailored services to suit individual patients’ needs. So, if conventional medication isn’t working for you, a compounding pharmacist can customize the formulation to suit your specific needs.
Compounding Pharmacy- Meaning & Benefits
Compounding is the practice of mixing or alerting ingredients to create custom medication. When a physician prescribes compounded medication, a licensed compound pharmacist starts combining ingredients in the appropriate amount. The concept of compounding is based on the fact that every individual is unique and different people may react differently to the same medications. The same formula that suits thousands of patients may cause allergic reactions in a few patients who are allergic to certain ingredients. A compounded medication is for those with hypoallergenic sensitivities or patients with special medical needs. The customized medication created by licensed compounding pharmacists provides a range of benefits such as:
- Alternate Dosage Form
Do you need to crush tablets for consumption because you’re unable to swallow large pills? If it’s hard to consume the commercially available medication in the same form, compounding can help in alerting its form. Capsule or film-coated medication cannot be spit or crushed. So, if the dosage form isn’t working for you, a compounding pharmacy can create the same formula in different dosage forms such as liquid syrup, oral lozenges, sprays, creams, lotions, gels, nasal sprays, etc. Changing dosage forms enables easy consumption.
- No Allergens
The inactive ingredients used in commercial medications may cause allergies in some patients. The inactive ingredients, such as lactose, gluten, fillers, dyes, or stabilizing agents are used by pharmaceutical companies to manufacture drugs. If you’re allergic to any such ingredient, a compounding pharmacy can eliminate that inactive ingredient to provide you with allergy-free, safe medication.
- Adjust the Dosage
Over-the-counter drugs are manufactured in specific dosages. The standard dosage is set based on an average patient’s needs. Pharmaceutical companies manufacture medication in dosages that suit masses which can be detrimental to certain patients with special needs. Those who need a higher or lower dose version can benefit from compounding. Compounding pharmacists can adjust the dosage and strength depending on the needs of the patient.
- Access to Hard-to-Find or Discontinued Medication
If producing a certain medication is no longer profitable, pharmaceutical companies may stop its production. However, if a medication is discontinued, it doesn’t mean it’s no longer needed by patients. Compounding pharmacists can recreate the same formula to ensure that patients can continue to get the treatment they need.
- Add Flavors
It’s been found in research that palatability is an important factor in encouraging patients to continue their treatment. Some bitter-tasting medications could make treatment intolerable. Kids may refuse to take these medications which can affect their treatment. This is where compounding helps in making medication palatable by adding flavors.
