Living Jackson Magazine

Compounding a Solution!

By Kim Bost

What if you need a medication that is only available orally but you can’t swallow? What if your child is anemic but can’t tolerate the taste of any oral liquid form of iron? Where do you turn?

The answer is, “Go to the nearest compounding pharmacy.”

Compounding, a practice that dates back to the roots of pharmacy, is the art and science of preparing customized medications for patients. In the practice of compounding, a pharmacist uses the raw chemical ingredients to prepare a medication product. Over the last seven decades, the role of pharmacy compounding has undergone change.

In the 1930s and 1940s approximately 60 percent of all medication dispensed was compounded. With the introduction of mass-manufactured medications, the role of compounding within a pharmacy was substantially reduced. However, in the last two decades, there has been an increased demand for compounded medications. Today, compounding pharmacies invest in state-of-the-art equipment and training and use proven techniques to prepare individualized medication for patients. Compounding pharmacies work closely with patients and physicians to determine the best solution for each patient’s individual problems or needs.

Problem Solvers

Compounding pharmacists are problem solvers. In addition to the situations above, here are a few more examples of when compounding can be beneficial:

Allergies to dyes or fillers commonly found in tablets/capsules. Pharmacists often encounter patients with allergies to dyes and fillers such as lactose. A compounding pharmacist can prepare the desired medication “from scratch” while avoiding the problem ingredients.

Currently available strengths of medications are not appropriate. As humans, we are all unique and one-size does not fit all. Mass-manufactured products offer limited ranges of strengths of medications. Compounding pharmacists can prepare strengths of medication not currently offered.

Specific dosage form is not available. If a patient is unable to swallow, a compounding pharmacist can prepare a medication in another dosage form such as a suppository or transdermal cream that will allow absorption of the medication without taking it orally. Medications can also be compounded in lozenges (both hard-candy like and gummy-bear like) and in lollipops.

Medication is discontinued by the manufacturer. Many times, medications become “non-profitable” for manufacturers and production will stop. This may happen even though the medication is very effective. Compounding pharmacists can usually obtain the discontinued raw ingredient and bring the product back into existence. This does not apply to medications that have been recalled because of safety issues.

Ugh! That tastes awful! Parents have heard this one before. Compounding pharmacists can flavor liquid medications using a wide variety of flavors and sweeteners to mask the medication’s original bad taste.

Medications need to be combined.Compounding pharmacists can combine several medications into one dosage form to reduce the number of doses needed each day.

Veterinary Medicine. Compounding pharmacists can prepare topical dosage forms or flavored medications to ease administration to pets. Topical dosage forms can be applied to an area that can be reached and resultantly licked off. Pet-friendly flavors include liver, beef and fish, just to name a few.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you understand what pharmacy compounding means and some situations when compounding can be beneficial, let’s explore some other questions you may have:

1) Is there a local pharmacy that offers pharmacy compounding? Yes. Tiger Town Pharmacy in Commerce offers compounding services as well as traditional dispensing.

2) Is compounding pharmacy safe and legal? Yes. Just like all pharmacies, compounding pharmacies are regulated and inspected by the State Board of Pharmacy.

3) Do compounded medications require a prescription from my doctor? Yes, most are prescriptions, which means they must be doctor prescribed.

4) Are compounded prescriptions covered by my prescription insurance? Yes, although plans are occasionally encourtered with no coverage for compounded medications.

5) What kind of medications can be used for compounding? Almost anything within the imagination. Almost any medication-related problem can be solved with compounding. Here are examples of the most commonly dispensed compounded medications at Tiger Town Pharmacy:

Transdermal Creams for arthritis pain or nerve pain.
Topical Creams for natural hormone replacement in women.
Nicotine Lollipops for smoking cessation.
Oral Mouth Ulcer Bandage.
Rectal Rocket. (An unusually shaped suppository with a unique feature that exposes both internal and external hemorrhoids to the healing medication.)
Transdermal gel for nausea.
Liquid medications for reflux in children.

As you can see, pharmacy compounding can exponentially increase your medication options. At Tiger Town Pharmacy, the staff is rewarded daily as they witness the amazing and exciting results that compounding offers their patients. For questions regarding the impact that compounding pharmacy may have on your life, consult with a member of the Tiger Town team.

Kim Bost, pharmacist, is the owner of Tiger Town Pharmacy in Commerce and Homer Drug in Homer. Bost received her BS and Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of Georgia. She resides in Jefferson with husband Zeb and their children Zach, Taylor and Emma Grace.