What is a compounding pharmacy?

A compounding pharmacy is a specialized pharmacy that uses pharmaceutical grade chemicals in a state of the art laboratory to create custom medications which are not commercially available. Each prescription is formulated for an individual patient according to the practitioners specifications.

The Advantages of Compounding

Unique dosages tailored to individuals

For example: A patient may require a dose of thyroid medication (T4 and/or T3), but the dose necessary to balance their specific levels isn't commercially available. A prescription can be compounded to make the required dose and can even combine the T4 and T3 into one capsule. This formulation can be immediate-release or sustained-release, based on the practitioners specifications.

Elimination of problem-causing excipients. Such as dyes, sugar, lactose or alcohol

For example: A patient has an allergy to gluten, but some of the medications they take lists gluten as one of the inactive ingredients. A compounding pharmacy can formulate many medications with inactive fillers other than gluten or lactose, or whatever the problem causing agent may be.

Combining Preparations for easier administration and improved compliance

For example: A patient's provider finds their lab results to be low in Estradiol, Progesterone and Testosterone. If the practitioner states that all of the hormones may be taken at the same dosing interval (ex. twice daily), then a compounding pharmacy can formulate all three ingredients into a topical cream or sublingual troche or sustained-release capsule for more convenient administration.

Powerful topical gels and creams for pain management

For example: A patient with painful osteoarthritis is beginning to show signs of gastrointestinal ulceration after many years of taking oral pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medication. A compounding pharmacy can work with your practitioner to design a powerful topical medication that can be applied directly to the painful area and avoid the gastrointestinal complications associated with many of the oral alternatives. Some of the possible ingredients include: Ketoprofen, Ketamine, Cyclobenzaprine, Clonidine, Piroxicam, Gabapentin, Menthol and Capsacian.