People are often uneasy about a prescription for compounded medicines because they are too used to mass-produced drugs from major pharma companies. What they don’t know is that the Food and Drug Administration approves of the practice of compounding that is widely used in the health care industry.
Compounding is not an alternative form of medicine. It simply involves the practice of providing medication in commercially unavailable forms or strengths for the special requirements of patients. Here’s a look at some instances of success that people have had with it.
Acne treatment
A patient that suffering from acne that carried on even after her adolescent years, into her forties found no across the counter drugs or prescribed medication helpful. She finally happened to find a compounding pharmacist and was prescribed a 4% Niacinamide gel for topical use. She experienced positive results with it within a few months.
In the treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome
A patient in his fifties, suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, had been unaware of his problem. That was until he started waking up at night with numbness and swelling in both hands. His symptoms were analyzed and the conductivity of his nerves were evaluated. Surgery was prescribed for the condition, but there was no other medication available for the degeneration that was setting in.
A pharmacist was then prescribed to formulate a gel of 5% ketoprofen and 5% gabapentin for topical application. After regular use of the formula for about 2 weeks, there was a significant reduction in the numbness and the swelling. There was no need for surgery.
Infants with allergies to certain foods and syrups
There are usually no commercially available doses of drugs for infants that suffer from food allergies. Some infants may be allergic to components and dyes in cough syrups and other syrups prescribed to them. A compounder will be able to formulate a compound with the same composition, minus the allergen. The infant can then continue to take the medication without developing allergic reactions to it.
Many people are under the misconception that the FDA does not approve of medicinal compounding. That is a myth, however, that needs to be busted. As long as the pharmacist is licensed, as well as the doctor that is prescribing the medicine, there is nothing illegal about it. In fact, about 20-30% of prescribed drugs in the US may not be approved for a specific condition, but a physician may prescribe it because he believes it to be effective.
If you are unable to take in regular medication in its commercially available form or strength, you may need medicines that are compounded. Placerville pharmacists will be able to help you in such a case. You can ask your doctor to suggest a compounder, or find a licensed one on your own.
