You might have heard of a compounding pharmacy if there is one in your community. But if you don't understand the difference between a compounding and a regular pharmacy, here are a few reasons why they exist for patients.
Removing troublesome ingredients
Many patients experience sensitivity or allergic reactions to seemingly harmless inactive ingredients. These are the ingredients that comprise the delivery of the medication, while the active ingredient is the actual medication that heals or resolves the condition.
Inactive ingredients can prevent a patient from following proper prescription adherence. Therefore, it's in their best interest to take their prescription to a compounding pharmacy where any troublesome inactive ingredients can be removed from the final product. This is done by reformulating the original medication.
Changes to the delivery system of the medication
Another issue that often affects patient prescription adherence is the delivery system of the medication. For example, pills can be too large for a patient to swallow, especially if they're elderly or they're experiencing esophagus issues. And if a patient has been prescribed a transdermal patch that is made with latex, and if the patient is allergic to latex, then they won't be able to apply the patch. A pharmacist at a compounding pharmacy is trained to reformulate medications to change the delivery system of the prescription. They can create transdermal creams for those who can't use latex-based patches. They can transform pill prescriptions into liquids for ease of swallowing. They can also create IV drips and infusions. If a patient has complications or special needs that interfere with prescription adherence, then compounding services can help them to resolve the issue. However, patients should note that compounding services are only reserved for prescription medications. Over-the-counter medications can not be reformulated.
Combine two or more medications
One more issue that can interfere with patient prescription adherence is the issue of taking two or more medications. Specifically, two or more medications call for different prescription directives. This can involve the patient taking different doses at different times and trying to remember it all.
If the prescriptions aren't taken in the correct sequence at just the right times, then their multiple conditions won't be properly healed or controlled. Worse, a patient might experience dangerous interactions or overdose. A pharmacist at a compounding pharmacy can create tailor-made compound medication for a patient that allows them to meet the patient's requirements safely and effectively. What's more, they can create a tailored delivery system that allows the patient to treat a specific ailment that requires more than one medication without causing internal upset.
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