Reducing Risks With Compounding Medications

Getting a prescription filled is one of the most mundane activities a person can do. For most people, a health provider writes a prescription which is then taken to a pharmacy to be fulfilled. Sometimes a specific medication might be out of stock, or a generic may be recommended to reduce costs. Some people cannot tolerate the standard pharmaceutical medications, and when this occurs, the patient might need to turn to a compounding pharmacy.

What are compound pharmacies?

Most people are familiar with traditional pharmacies that are either stand-alone storefronts, or located within a big box retailer or grocery store. These are standard pharmacies that tend to carry only the mass-issued medications pharmaceutical firms produce. These pharmacies may also provide vaccinations or other routine screenings. However, if a customer has a known allergy to an ingredient in the medications, or needs a prescription modified because of sensitivities, these locations typically can’t provide the support that individual needs. In these scenarios, a compounding pharmacy is a better option. At these locations, the on-site pharmacists are skilled at customizing medication blends and adjusting dosages to reduce the risk of adverse side effects.

Adjusting for sensitivities

Medication sensitivities can refer to a variety of factors. For example, a person with multiple prescriptions may find that certain ingredients from one medication do not work well with those from another. Similarly, people may simply not be able to tolerate certain medications and may experience severe side effects. Also known as drug intolerance, symptoms can include nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, constipation, headaches, rash, vomiting, and even diarrhea. Compounding medications can allow a pharmacist to safely fill a prescription by omitting ingredients that might create issues for an individual. Also understand that compounding isn’t just for people, specialty prescriptions can also be produced for pets.

Removing allergens

Even though pharmaceutical companies focus on potency and purity, sometimes filler ingredients are still required. These additives are often used to maintain stability and product shelf life. However, these ingredients are often common allergy triggers and can include dyes, lactose and gluten. Even though these ingredients are approved for use by regulators, they may cause adverse reactions in people with allergies. A compounding pharmacy is ideal in this situation since technicians know how to create the medication and maintain efficacy while removing select ingredients that can trigger a reaction.

A safer alternative

Although most people filling a prescription won’t need the specialized services of a compounding pharmacy, for the segment of the population that needs this support, these facilities are essential. Technicians in these pharmacies ensure that patients receive vital medications while minimizing the risk of adverse reactions by removing filler ingredients that might trigger allergies or creating modified formulas when medication sensitivities are present. If standard issue pharmaceutical medications have been causing problems, consider visiting a compound pharmacy.