Getting The Medication You Need When You Cannot Ingest Standard Prescription Drugs
Obtaining the right type of prescription for a serious illness can literally mean the difference between life and death. However, in some cases patients cannot ingest traditional forms of medication for a variety of reasons. If you are unable to take standard drugs such as capsules, you may need to talk with your physician about obtaining a custom prescription from a compounding pharmacy. The following primer will help you understand prescription compounding and its benefits.
Compounding Basics
The practice of compounding dates back to the origins of pharmacy. In the mid-20th century, most prescriptions were the result of compounding. However, mass production of drugs led to a decline in the method leaving many patients without access to medicine that fit their specific dietary and special needs.
Some patients require a lower dosage than what is available in mass-produced drugs. Others may be allergic to dyes used in name-brand drugs.
Pharmacists are able to customize the dosage, strength and delivery method of a prescription to fit the precise needs of patients. They use their skills and state-of-the-art technology to formulate and prepare specialized medications from bulk chemicals. They also provide patients with counseling on the proper usage of compounded prescriptions.
Compounding pharmacies operate under federal and state regulations to ensure the quality and safety of prescriptions.
Advantages of Prescription Compounding
If you experience an adverse reaction to a preservative used in a medicated topical gel for a dermatological condition, your doctor may refer you to a compounding pharmacy for a custom prescription that will not irritate your skin. You can avoid experiencing a severe allergic reaction that may send you to the emergency room for treatment.
Compounding pharmacists can also remove ingredients such as gluten and lactose if you suffer from celiac disease or hypolactasia.
You may also need a specialized prescription if a manufacturer stops making the medication that you normally take or if your prescription bill for a trademarked drug becomes too expensive.
In addition to altering prescriptions to make them safe and more palatable, compounding pharmacists can provide medications in different forms including:
- Lollipops
- Lip balms
- Lotions and gels
- Tablets
- Capsules
- Lozenges
- Eye, ear and nasal drops
- Throat and nasal sprays
- Flavored liquids
Obtaining a Compound Prescription
Compounding prescriptions can be used to treat conditions in any area of medicine. There are even veterinary pharmacies that provide specialty prescriptions for pets.
If you feel that you would benefit from a compounded drug, talk to your doctor about the possibility of receiving a prescription from an apothecary as an alternative to your regular medication.
An alternative to standard pediatric drugs may also help if you have a child who puts up a fight when it is time for them to take their medicine. A flavored liquid or lollipop is much more enticing than an awful tasting odd-shaped pill.
Furthermore, if you have several medications in different forms that make taking your prescriptions an ordeal, ask your doctor if some of the drugs can be combined into one capsule or other form of medicine at a compounding pharmacy.
Combining numerous pills into a single form can also help your elderly relatives who need to stay on a strict schedule but are forgetful or have trouble swallowing numerous pills over the course of the day.
Paying for Your Prescription
If you are worried about insurance coverage of compounding prescriptions, talk to your insurance company about reimbursement options. In some cases you may have to pay the full cost of the compounded prescription and send in a reimbursement form to recoup your money.
Regardless of your specific needs, compounding can make handling your medical issues easier by enabling you to take medications that are not hard to swallow or leave a long-lasting horrible taste in your mouth. Have a peek at this website for more information.
