Compound Medication Services in Phoenix

What is a Compounding Pharmacy?

Compounding medications offers pharmacists an innovative way to customize prescription medications to meet the specific needs of their patients. The art of compounding utilizes modern medicine while maintaining its roots in the pharmacy profession. The Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding reports that 1-3% of prescriptions in the United States are for compounded drugs.

Compounding pharmacies can produce unique dosage forms based on doctor recommendations and patient preferences or restrictions. Examples include dye-free, preservative-free, alcohol-free, or sugar-free forms of medications. Many compounds are specialized medication combinations or compounded in other forms that are not commercially available.

Your pharmacist is trained in compounding various ointments, gels, syrups, suspensions, suppositories, capsules, and other formulations that can make medications easier to take, address specific health issues, or simply help you feel better more quickly.

Compound drugs are generally safe and effective for most patients who have discussed their health with their doctor and how compounded prescriptions can benefit them. Medications are compounded and dispensed to patients only after a valid, patient-specific prescription is received.

What is a Compound Drug or Prescription?

Compound drugs are uniquely formulated medications that combine one or more active ingredients to tailor to a patient’s specific needs and preferences. For example, a pharmacist may formulate a prescribed compound drug to be dye-free or preservative-free, or an oral medication or topical medication may be reformulated into a different form to facilitate easier intake.

Examples of Compound Medications

Pediatric Medications

Compound medications for children can be specialty compounds tailored to meet the specific needs of early development. This could be adjusting dosages, adding flavoring, or changing the form of medicine to something easier to take. It’s estimated that the total number of compounded oral prescriptions dispensed for children annually is between 3.7 million and 11 million.

Allergy Sensitivities

Some patients may require adjustments to their medications due to allergies and sensitivities. Compounding medications can remove inactive ingredients that could cause adverse reactions and enable patients to take their medication safely.

Pain Management

It can be difficult to successfully manage pain brought on by chronic conditions, injuries, and illnesses. Medications can be compounded with analgesic agents that address the individual pain needs of a patient. A study of 120 pain clinicians revealed that only 27% reported frequently prescribing compounded topical pain medications.

Specialized Dosage Forms

Pharmaceutical compounding services can formulate medication to fit patients’ needs or preferences. For example, some patients who have difficulty swallowing pills or tablets may require medicine in liquid form.

Hormone Replacement

For those going through menopause or requiring testosterone replacement therapy, compound medications can be made in the form of tablets, creams, capsules, lozenges, or troches in varying doses to aid in suppressing uncomfortable symptoms. In one study from the National Institutes of Health, it was estimated that 1 million to 2.5 million US women aged 40 years or older use compounded bioidentical hormone therapy.

What Is The Difference Between Compounded And Non-Compounded Prescriptions?

Unlike non-compounded or traditional prescription drugs, compounded prescriptions are custom-made formulations. Compounding pharmacists create these medicines with unique components catered to their patients.

How Are Compounding Pharmacies Regulated?

The State Boards of Pharmacy regulate the practice of compounding in the United States. It’s not FDA-approved and was originally recognized as an important need by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB). Because of this, the FDA doesn’t review compounded drugs for safety or effectiveness, and Federal law addresses compounding by a licensed pharmacist in a state-licensed pharmacy.

Frequently Asked Questions