5 Benefits Of Pharmacy Compounding

While pharmaceutical compounding has been around for a long time, it continues to grow in popularity and availability, as people learn more and more about the benefits and capabilities of compounding. Simply stated, pharmacy compounding blends a little bit of both art and science to create individualized, custom medications for patients.

In compounding, a specially trained pharmacist is able to take a physician’s prescription, and mix the individualized ingredients together to create a medication that was tailored to the individual patient. Using this technique, the pharmacist is able to closely work with both the physician and the patient to make sure that his or her unique medical needs are met.

So, this all sounds great —but perhaps you’re wondering about specifics. Below, in no particular order, are 5 benefits of pharmacy compounding:

#1. Pharmacy compounding makes medications easier to use and take.

It’s no secret that many medications have an unpleasant taste or can be difficult to take. This can often make medications difficult to take as prescribed — especially in patients who are notoriously particular about taking medications, including young children, elderly patients, and even pets. Fortunately, a compounding pharmacist can custom create your prescribed medications in the flavor or flavors of your choice, making it much more palatable and easy to take.

#2. Pharmacy compounding allows patients access to discontinued or hard to find medications.

As a patient, one of the most frustrating things you can experience is to find out that a medication you need and regularly take has been discontinued, or that you are no longer able to find it. Just because the medication has been discontinued doesn’t mean that you don’t still need the specific medication or the health benefits that it provides. Your compounding pharmacy is an important ally in providing access to discontinued or hard to find medications, since they can closely replicate or reproduce the medication to ensure that you continue to receive all of the benefits of the prescription and the important care that you require.

#3. Pharmacy compounding allows for alternative medication dosage forms.

In addition to adding flavor to make the medication taste more pleasant, compounding pharmacists also have the capability to create your medications in the form of your choice. On occasion, patients prefer to have their medications in one specific form or another. For instance, some patients —especially children— prefer to take their medications in a liquid suspension or chewable tablet form.

Working with a compounding pharmacy, you can have your prescription filled in these forms. And did you know that, sometimes, medications can be formulated in a topical form? As a topical medication, your prescription is compounded into a cream or gel that is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. Further, a compounding pharmacy is able to tailor your medications to the exact dosage and strength that you need.

#4. Compounding pharmaceuticals can make your medications allergy friendly.

There are many ingredients in traditional medications that can cause an allergic reaction or sensitivity, such as dyes, flavorings, lactose, gluten, alcohol, and more. Further, widely available commercial medications may contain other factors, such as a specific preservative, that may not be well tolerated by the patient. A compounding pharmacy is able to create the prescription without the offending ingredients, making the medication safer for the patient and more easily tolerated.

#5. Compounding pharmacies can offer services that larger pharmacy chains can’t —or won’t.

One of the primary responsibilities and services of a compounding pharmacy is getting to know their patients and finding out what their medical needs are. What sort of symptoms are they having? What medications have been prescribed? Have they had any sort or allergic or negative reaction to any of the medications? Is there a different form or flavor that you would prefer for your medication?

Learning More About Compounding

As a compounding pharmacy, we are able to apply our knowledge and offer services that other larger pharmacies can’t. We enjoy working with our patients to develop treatment plans that are as unique and individualized as you are.

Browse through our website to learn more about our various different specialties and the services that we have to offer your entire family —even your family pets. Learn about the history and art of compounding, as well as additional benefits of working with a compounding pharmacy.

If you have any questions, we would love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us today to find out how we can help with any and all of your specialized health care needs