Old world practice solves today’s problems
In the last 100 years, the practice of pharmacy has moved from the pharmacist preparing medicines to the pharmacist packaging medicines made by big pharmaceutical companies. In recent years, more and more doctors are having pharmacists return to traditional practices and to ‘compound’ medicines that are not commercially made. This practice is a way to customize medicines for individual patients. Compounded medicines are made in a laboratory.
What are some examples?
Compounding can offer some creative methods of treating medical conditions.
For those with swallowing difficulties or nausea, creams or gels can be made to carry medicine through the skin. In addition, tasty liquids can be made to carry drugs for a child who is reluctant to take his or her medicine.
A drug that is used with some success in hair loss is Minoxidil. A compounded Minoxidil solution may be prepared in various strengths, and perhaps combined with other medicines used to treat hair loss.
Products for head lice sometimes just don’t seem to help. It is possible to prepare specially designed shampoos to treat lice that may be resistant to commercial preparations.
Dark spots that appear on skin may be lightened with specialty creams that contain a variety of antioxidants. Many compounded formulae exist for this purpose.
A painful nerve condition called neuropathy is hard to treat, even with new medications on the market. Creams may be designed with a variety of pain-relieving agents that offer another alternative.
For those suffering from pain due to inflammation, creams can be designed to deliver anti-inflammatory agents directly to the area affected.
Pets can benefit from medicines compounded into capsules, flavored liquids and tasty chewytreats. Certain medicines, not all, may even be compounded into creams.
What about bioidentical hormones?
Bioidentical hormones have received a lot of attention recently thanks to celebrities such as Oprah and Suzanne Somers. Bioidentical hormones are an option worth exploring for women experiencing the symptoms of menopause but who are reluctant to try traditional hormone replacement therapy.
Bioidentical hormones are derived from plants and have the exact same chemical structure as hormones produced within the human body. Bioidentical hormones function within the body just as if the body had produced them. Compounding pharmacists prepare these hormones, most commonly as creams that absorb into the skin.
Bioidentical hormones make it possible to customize therapy for the individual. Creams can be designed with various strengths and combinations of hormones – whatever is best for that particular person.
How do you get compounded products?
Compounded products are medicines and, as such, require a prescription. You should discuss your options with your doctor. You can also contact a compounding pharmacy, such as Watson’s, to learn more. A compounding pharmacist will work hand-in-hand with your doctor to develop a solution that is right for your particular needs.
