General Compounding
Compounding has long been fundamental to the profession of pharmacy and was the standard means of providing prescription medications before drugs began to be produced in mass quantities by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Compounding can be an ideal solution for anyone that is allergic to dyes or preservatives, may need a medication no longer commercially available, or simply need a dosage or format of a medication not available. A compounding pharmacist can work with the provider to create a personalized medication, formulated to give the patient the treatment they need while leaving out any problematic ingredients. Drug delivery methods include capsules, creams, liquids, suppositories, or suspensions and can include flavoring to make the drug more palatable where needed.
Hormone Therapy For Women
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is most often prescribed to ease the symptoms of menopause, but it also can be used to treat a variety of conditions that women of all ages may experience.
As the number of women seeking hormone-related treatment has grown, so has the mass production of pills, patches and creams by the drug industry. However, each woman’s body is different and has its own unique needs. Commercially manufactured products tend to be “one-size-fits-all,” and do not always account for the differences between individuals. The main benefit of HRT is that it can help relieve most of the menopausal symptoms, such as:
- hot flashes
- night sweats
- mood swings
- vaginal dryness
- reduced sex drive
The advantage of compounded HRT is that it can be adapted specifically to fit each individual’s body and hormone levels. HRT can utilize hormones that have the exact chemical structure as the hormones in the human body. The body recognizes them and allows them to mimic the function of the hormones the body produces on its own.
Working closely with a woman’s healthcare provider, SCIRx can prepare hormones in a variety of strengths and dosage forms, including:
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- Capsules
- Topical or vaginal creams, gels, and foams
- Suppositories
- Sublingual drops or troche
Testosterone Supplementation For Men
Hormone replacement therapy isn’t just for women – many men can benefit from it too! Recent research has identified a number of common physical and emotional symptoms experienced by men as they age, including:
- Decreased libido, muscle mass, strength, and stamina
- Impotence
- Osteoporosis
- Heart disease
- Sleep disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety
Termed “andropause” or “male menopause”, these symptoms are related to decreasing levels of testosterone or increasing levels of estrogen.
Your natural balance may be restored though supplementation of the hormone testosterone, which has been shown to relieve the symptoms of andropause. Of course, not all men are the same – different men need different amounts of testosterone to help address their individual symptoms. The value of hormone replacement through pharmacy compounding is its ability to fit your unique body and hormone levels, resulting in better accuracy and a healthier balance.
Pain Management
Struggling with chronic pain or the side effects of pain medication does not have to be a daily activity. Pharmacy compounding offers patients customized options for pain medication and a valuable alternative for those for whom pain management has become a way of life.
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- Every individual is unique, and the types of pain experienced can be equally diverse. By working with your healthcare provider SCIRx Pharmacy provide a treatment specifically tailored for your pain management needs. Instead of a capsule or tablet, pain medications often can be compounded as dosage forms such as:
A topical gel cream or spray form that can be applied directly to the site of the pain and absorbed through the skin. - A custom-flavored troche that dissolves under the tongue, a nasal spray, or a suppository.
- Every individual is unique, and the types of pain experienced can be equally diverse. By working with your healthcare provider SCIRx Pharmacy provide a treatment specifically tailored for your pain management needs. Instead of a capsule or tablet, pain medications often can be compounded as dosage forms such as:
Such dosage forms may bypass the gastrointestinal tract, providing optimal results with less GI irritation, and help patients who have difficulty swallowing pills, removing yet another source of aggravation.
Combined Formulations
Some chronic pain sufferers are placed on a variety of medications to help address the symptoms associated with their condition. On many occasions, multiple medications can be combined into a single dose of a specially prepared compound that combines the medications into a single capsule or topical preparation, providing greater convenience for the patient.
Strength Variations
Because patients vary in size, symptoms, and pain tolerance, commercially available medications sometimes may not provide the appropriate dosage strength for an individual patient. Through compounding, a prescriber and pharmacist can customize the dosage to the exact amount the patient requires, and find a dosage form that best suits the patient’s needs.
Pain can be debilitating, whether it’s acute muscle or nerve pain resulting from an accident, or a chronic condition such as arthritis or fibromyalgia. Pharmacy compounding may help improve a patient’s quality of life by providing relief with potentially fewer side effects and less overall medication.
All compounded medications need to be prescribed by a licensed provider.
Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
In 1985 Dr. Bihari discovered the effects of a much lower dose of naltrexone for normalizing immune system function. In the mid-1990’s, Dr. Bihari found that patients could benefit, in some cases dramatically, from Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN).
In addition, people who had an autoimmune disease (such as lupus) often showed prompt control of disease activity while taking LDN. Currently, LDN is widely accepted as an alternative medicine option and is used to treat various medical conditions. These in include:
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- Multiple Sclerosis
- Complex Pain Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Cancer
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Naltrexone has been commonly used at daily doses of 50-300mg since it was first licensed in 1984.
Topical Dexamethasone for Iontophoresis Delivery
In rehabilitation medicine, including physical therapy, iontophoresis is used to reduce inflammation that might be seen in musculoskeletal conditions such as lateral epicondylitis, medial epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis, tendo-nitis/bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and enthesopathic conditions of various origins.
The use of dexamethasone for inflammation and acetic acid for calcific deposits has been used for many years in numerous clinical settings.
“Patients have been pleased with the friendly and professional service they received from Rich Allred RPh and his team. I also find the topical preparations, creams and foams ordered from SCIRx to be very effective tools in managing many skin conditions of my patients.”
– Alan Bruce MD, PHD | Dermatology Associates
Additional SCIRx Pharmacy Compounding Specialties
VETERINARY
Custom compounding allows each prescription to be tailored to meet the unique needs of the pet. Unlike large mail-order pharmacies, the majority of our prescriptions are ready for pick up or mail out the same day. Learn more about how SCIRx can make a difference for your pet.
DERMATOLOGY
All commercially available skin medications are not appropriate for all patients. Patients may have sensitivities to ingredients or a manufactured product is no longer available. Learn more about the different foams/creams compounded to meet skin challenges here.
DENTISTRY
Compounded medications can lessen the physical discomforts involved with a trip to the dentist. We work to formulate special dental compounds to meet the unique needs of your patients, making the overall experience more enjoyable. Learn More
Could Compounding Benefit You?
Ask your Provider about SCIRx Compounding Pharmacy or reach out to us directly to speak with a knowledgeable Team Member.