Compounded medication has been around since the early 1900s—but since the advent of modern pharmacies, not as many people are familiar with how it works. What is a compound medication? It is a medication custom created by a licensed pharmacist, typically a variation of a commercially available drug.
Some people may need to have ingredients removed or added, a custom dose, or the medication delivered in a different form than may be available commercially. If you or a family member, including children and pets, are having a hard time getting a medication to work for you, a compound medication pharmacy can be an effective—and safe—solution.
What Are Compounded Medications Used For?
A compound medication pharmacy can formulate compounded medications for a variety of reasons. They use a prescription from a doctor to create a medication that can best help the patient by making the medicine easier to take, more effective, and by eliminating side effects.
Compounded medication services include meeting several patient needs, including:
- A customized dose that is not available commercially.
- Removed or adjusted inactive ingredients due to side effects or allergies, including sugar, gluten, dyes, alcohol, and lactose.
- Added flavoring to make the medication easier for a child or pet to take it.
- Changing the form of medication to a different medium that is easier to take or reduces side effects. Medication can be presented as a tablet, lotion, gel, liquid, powder, etc. Some patients may experience digestive problems with oral pain medication, for example, and prefer a topical option.
Who Can Compound Medications?
Compounded medications are formulated in a compound medication pharmacy by licensed, professional pharmacists who have been trained in best practices. These pharmacists are licensed by state boards and fulfill prescriptions written by medical doctors to best meet the needs and health requirements of individual patients.
A compound medication pharmacy uses quality and clean ingredients, instruments, and procedures to formulate medications. All licensed pharmacists receive some degree of training and education in compounding, and the ones who work in a compounding pharmacy have additional experience in mixing materials and using the tools of the trade. These tools might include a mortar and pestle, cylinders and balances for measuring, and spatulas and ointment slabs for mixing.
Compounding pharmacists can create both non-sterile medication—pills, lotions, and ointments—and sterile medication meant to be administered into body tissues, such as injections and eye ointments.
Discuss Your Options with a Compounding Pharmacist
Are you interested in learning more about how a compounding pharmacy can help with your medication and health needs? The next step is to reach out to a compounding pharmacist near you in Utah and Arizona to discuss how compounding can help.
At Strive Pharmacy, we will help you find the right compounded medication for you and your health goals. Reach out today to talk to a pharmacist.
Recent Comments