Worried About Medication Side Effects?

About 64% of Americans take at least 1 prescription drug. Millions more take supplements or over-the-counter medication to address a range of health issues. While these drugs help many manage symptoms or recover from illnesses, with medication comes side effects. A side effect is an unwanted, unintended consequence of taking the drug. As drugs impact the body in different ways, new symptoms can arise after taking a specific drug. Moreover, some individuals have known sensitivities or allergens that will occur upon taking a drug. To deal with medication side effects, compounding pharmacies have been instrumental, in creating custom forms.

Addressing side effects with compounding

A compounding pharmacy provides standard prescription drugs and services like any ordinary pharmacist. Some have the additional service of compounding which is the creation of a custom drug to meet individual needs of patients. Compounding pharmacists have technicians skilled in creating or recreating a drug from raw ingredients. Some combine multiple drugs into a single-use form. Compounding allows significant control over the medication, which can be invaluable to patients who struggle to take mass-produced medications. Compounding can customize care by creating a drug that cannot be found anywhere else.

Fix these with compound medications

Some medications have severe side effects that are unique to the patient. There are more common side effects that impact almost everyone using a particular drug. A common example is gastrointestinal discomfort from oral drugs. Some drugs may contain gluten, colors, dyes, or other ingredients that lead to distress. Topical drugs cause skin reactions, especially for patients with sensitive skin. Injectable drugs can cause reactions at the injection site. While not exactly a side effect, taste and texture problems can make adherence difficult, especially among pediatric or geriatric cases.

Customizing dosage, form, and strength

Compounding is an effective way to address side effects by customizing the drug. Pharmacists can recreate the drug without allergens, dyes, or other unpleasant ingredients. The dose can be adjusted to make the medication easier to consume or increase effectiveness. Unique strengths that are no longer available on the market can boost patient health. Compounding allows pharmacists to change medication forms. If consuming pills orally is challenging, a liquid, sublingual troche, or topical version can improve adherence. Combination solutions reduce pill burden, stop polypharmacy, and improve adherence. Customizing medication gives patients more control over outcomes while minimizing side effects.

Get your compound solution

Side effects are an expected consequence of using medication but do not have to be inevitable. Some side effects are common with standard drugs but others can be serious and limit treatment. Compounding provides a custom solution for each patient. The compounding pharmacy can remove unpleasant ingredients, change dosages, and switch up medication forms. Compounding medication while effective requires skilled pharmacists, may take longer to receive, and can be more costly. The result, however, is improved adherence, better health, less wastage, and cost savings over time. If side effects are concerning, speak with a doctor and pharmacist to start compounding.