compounding
What is Compounding
Compounding is the creation of a particular medication to fit the unique needs of an individual patient. To do thisa compounding pharmacy combines or processes appropriate ingredients in a laboratory environmentcustomized to specific patient needs. Demand for professional compounding has grown in recent years as both patients and doctors have realized that the strengths and dosage forms of commercially available medications are often unable or unsuited to meet the needs of many patientsand that they may have a better response to customized
medications.
How can compounded medications benefit me?
There are several reasons why patients opt for traditional compounding. Many patients are allergic to ingredients in certain medications such as dyes or caseinare sensitive to standard drug strengthsor may have difficulty swallowing the pills or tablets that their medication comes in as standard. A compounding pharmacist can work with a patient in order to change the strength of a prescribed medicationalter the dosage form to make it easier to takeor even to add a flavor that makes it taste better. Medications can be prepared to use several unique delivery systems such as:
- Sublingual troches or lozenges
- Lollipops
- Suppositories
- Sprays
- Suspensions
- Oral rinses
- Transdermal gels
Is prescription compounding safe?
Yescompounding has been a part of pharmacy healthcare since its origins and is still used widely today. A compounding pharmacy must abide by state regulationsas well as section 503A of the Federal FoodDrugand Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act)and is overseen by the state board of pharmacy. Shamrock Specialty Rx is overseen by the IL state board of pharmacy.
Shamrock Specialty Rx
Tom & Cheryl O’Shea along with their dedicated team of pharmacy professionals at Shamrock Specialty Rx offers compounding services to the people of Elburn and the wider community in IL.
Every daywomen across the country experience a variety of symptoms associated with menopause and hormone imbalance. These include PMShot flashesanxietymood swingsirritabilitymemory lapses and much more. Thankfullymodern medicines can help to relieve these symptoms. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a cutting-edge solution to a
matter facing women every day. It is an alternative to traditional synthetic hormone replacement (HRT) and uses a natural human-identical hormone. The term bioidentical means that the substance that replaces the traditionally utilized synthetic hormone is biologically identical to one made by your own body. These hormones include estrogensprogesteroneDHEAtestosteroneand pregnenolone. Hormone imbalances will vary from woman to woman and a one-size fits all hormone replacement therapy is not optimal. Unlike traditional hormone replacement therapythe true value of compounded BHRT is that the hormones can be adapted to suit your
individual body and hormone levels.
Bioidentical hormones are more readily absorbed by the body and by optimizing the dosage strength the side effects associated with traditional therapies are minimized. This means the hormones work the same way the ones in your body have all your life.
BHRT helps women to avoid the typical symptoms of menopause and hormonal imbalance.
- PMS
- Mood swings
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Low libido
- Heart disease
- Osteoporosis
- Weight gain
- Infertility
- Endometriosis
- Painful menstruation
- Fibrocystic breasts
Shamrock Specialty Rx has helped many women with hormone-related problems and we can help you. We offer private consultations with our specially trained pharmacists. Private consultations allow you to address concerns or questions about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. We will work with you and your physician to test your hormone levels and to develop a customized hormone replacement plan that best suits you.
If you are suffering from symptoms of menopauseplease contact Tom or Cheryl O’Shea and staff at 630-365-2372
Oral infectionspain or conditions such as chronic mucositismay call for
specialized treatments and drug delivery methods which may not be
commercially available.
We work together with patients and their dentists to create non-commercially available formulations for dental care to increase treatment options helping to minimize patient anxiety and pain.
Mouthwashes and rinses are the most common dosage forms for dental patients.Howeverother options such as lollipopsgummy bearstrochessprayslip balmoral gel and pastes can all be compounded.
The following are some examples of the dental solutions that Shamrock Specialty Rx can provide:
- Presurgical sedation
- Oral pain relief lollipops or lozenges
- Lip balms for viral lesions
- Topical anesthetics
- Crown preparation hydrocortisone gels
- Non-staining antibacterial rinses
- Oral sedation lollipops
- Lollipops for oral thrush
- Mouth rinses for chemotherapy-induced stomatitis
- Lozenges that help to suppress gag reflex
- Difficult to find or commercially unavailable medications.
Dermatology is the branch of medicine that deals with the skin and its diseases. Compounding can help the patient in a variety of ways including topical anestheticsbarrier creams for various applicationsand all sorts of skin and wound care formulations that improve results.
If a patient is allergic to a medication then some preservativesperfumes or
emulsifying agents can be specifically removed and/or replaced by other
ingredients with a low potential to cause allergies.
Active ingredients such as; dithranolcapsaicinestradiol benzoatethiabendazolementholor polidocanol for example are not commonly found in
commercial preparations. A customized version of the medication can be
compounded to add such active ingredients.
The preparation’s strength can be customized to treat the patient with increasing or decreasing quantities of the active ingredientwhich is especially useful in long-term care treatments.
There are many treatments that are improved by dermatological compounding and available from Shamrock Specialty Rx including:
- Acne
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
- Plant irritations
- Anti-fungal
- Warts and molluscum
- Rosacea
- Anti-Wrinkle creams
- Skin bleaching creams
- Scarring
- Keloids
- Herpes virus
- Sunburn
- Wrinkle creams
- Anti-oxidant aging creams/gels
- Contact and allergic dermatitis
- Fever blister meds
- Insect bite
- Viral infections
- Scarring
- Radiation/chemotherapy burns
- Skin cancer
- Allergies
Scar Management
After the skin has been damaged from a burntraumaor surgeryscars form as a normal part of healing. Everyone’s scars are differentand it can take up to a year for scars to heal completely.
To speed scar healing and add additional therapy components like pain relief,Shamrock Specialty Rx uses a base (Pracasil from PCCA ) with a high concentration of silicones and compounds it with additional medicationsfor example pain medication.
This compounded medication simultaneously provides pain relief without the side-effects of an oral medication and speeds up scar healing.
- Chocolate
- Strawberry
- Bubblegum
- Marshmallow
- Mint
- Mixed Fruit
- Raspberry
Because there is a lack of suitable pediatric dosage formsShamrock Specialty Rx can formulate alternative doses and dosage forms for your childincluding
syrupslollipopsgummy bearslozengesor transdermal creams.
Allergic reactions are a symptom of the immune system adversely reacting to typically harmless substances. Common symptoms of an allergic reaction may include rashesred eyessneezinga runny noseshortness of breathor swelling.
One of the most beneficial uses of compounded medicines is for patients who suffer from allergic reactions to ingredients found in common commercial drugs. A compounding pharmacy is able to break a medication down into it’s base compoundsrecreating it with the same active ingredients either removing/replacing the offending substance or making the medication into something safer and less likely to cause an allergic reaction. For example a
compounding pharmacy may also be able to combine anti-allergenssuch as antihistaminesinto a medication if needed.
Pain management is among one of the most essential duties of medicine today. Even if the underlying condition is being treateduncontrolled pain can severely diminish a patient’s quality of life preventing them from workingor taking part in their usual roles in family and society.
Chronic pain has numerous causesand therefore can be much more difficult to manage than acute pain from a specific injury or conditionand the customized treatment protocols offered by compounded treatments can meet the specific needs of each patient.
Our compounding specialists offer many unique options for pain management. Regardless of originand whether the pain is acute or chronicour efforts are directed at meeting the specific needs of each patient. We work together with patients and their physicians to reach treatment goals.
Oral Dosage Forms
Oral dosage forms can also be customized to meet the specific needs of each patient. For examplewe can combine numerous compatible medications into a single dose to make medication management. Medicated lollipopsgummy bearssolutionsand suspensions can also be compounded with added flavors to suit.
Transdermal Dosage Forms
Transdermal medications are medications that are absorbed through the skin. This is very useful for patients who are unable to take an oral medication or have an aversion to injections. Many types of medication can be compounded into a transdermal gel.
Rectal Dosage Forms
Formulations can be delivered as suppositoriessolutions and gels. In additionthere is a specialized delivery system which simultaneously applies the medication internally and externally.
- Inflammation and Pain
- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Non-Surgical Nail Removal
- Warts
- Nail fungus (Onychomycosis)
- Calluses
- Hyperhidrosis
- Decubitus ulcers
- Transdermal anti-inflammatory agents
- Skin softeners & moisturizers
- Transdermal treatments for neuropathy
- Keratinolytic agents
- Wound Care
- Plantar fasciitis (Heel Spurs)
- Anti-fungal foot powders
- Muscle & joint pain
The prescription should be started with Compounded Medication. Details in the example below. If you are a physician and would like to talk to a pharmacist about formulations or writing a scriptplease call Shamrock Specialty Rx on 630-448-1185 and ask for Cheryl O’Shea.
Palliative care is the treatment of patients whose disease or condition is non-
responsive to curative treatment. It focuses mainly on providing relief from symptomspainand mental stress.
Because palliative care is so unique to each individual patientit benefits enormously from compounded medicines that can address the patient’s specific needs and care plans while allowing the caregiver to do their job more efficiently.
While every individual is uniquecommon symptoms and problems include:
- Pain Management
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Severe Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Decubitus Ulcers
- Shortness of Breath
- Anxiety
Shamrock Specialty Rx can compound medications which can help with all the
above problemsand in a range of forms tailored to suit the patient such as:
- Transdermal
- Extended-release capsules
- Troches
- Gummy bears
- Suppositories
- Lollipops
Hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism is a disorder caused when the body’s thyroid gland does not
produce enough thyroid hormone. This can cause a person to feel constantly
fatiguedcoldand to gain weight. Hypothyroidism is extremely commonbut
often goes undetected because standard blood tests miss the majority of low
thyroid patients. A number of health conditions are shown to be caused by or
associated with low tissue thyroid levelsincluding:
- Insulin resistance
- Depression
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Autoimmune disease
- Iron deficiency
Hyperthyroidism:
Hyperthyroidism is the opposite of hypothyroidismand is a disorder caused
when the body’s thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. This can
cause a person to suffer anxietyinsomniasweatingand weight loss among
other symptoms that can occur when bodily functions speed up due to excess
thyroid hormones. A number of serious health conditions can be caused by or
associated with excess thyroid hormonesincluding:
- Heart problems
- Eye problem
- Brittle bones
- Redswollen skin
- Thyrotoxic crisis
Adrenal Fatigue:
Adrenal fatigue is a term applied to a collection of nonspecific symptomssuch as body achesfatiguenervousnesssleep disturbances and digestive problems caused by the body’s adrenal glands not performing well enough due to stressbacterial/viral infectionsor hormonal imbalance. People who suffer from Chronic Fatigue SyndromeFibromyalgiaas well as premenopausal and
menopausal women are particularly susceptible to this.
Compounded medications are available to help treat and/or alleviate all these
conditionsplease consult with us on 630-448-1185 and ask for TomCheryl O’Shea or a member of her team today.
Veterinary compounding is a specialty service that helps veterinarians broaden their prescribing abilities and to offer dosage forms and strengths that can treat pets in a more effective manner.
Our compounding pharmacy can prepare:
- Flavored medication
- Medication modified by sizestrength and dosage form
- Unavailable medications
- Combinations of medications to improve compliance
Flavored medication
Getting animals to accept medication can sometimes be a strugglebut a compounded medication can be flavored which may help a dog to accept a beef-flavored tablet or a cat to eat a liver-flavored chew.
Differing medication strengths
Many animal medications come in a standard sizeeven though different animals even of the same species can vary enormously. For examplewith the average Maltese weighing under 7lbs whereas the average Labrador Retriever weighs 10 times as much. Compounded medications allow the veterinarian to scale the dose to suit a pet’s specific size and weight.
Dosage Forms
Many pets don’t like taking pillshowever with veterinary compounding a
veterinarian is able to vary the dosage form depending on the medication.
Chewable treatseardropsliquid concentrations and transdermal medications
are available.
Men experience many hormonal changes during their lifetime. As men agethe
amount of testosterone produced by their body can decrease. Testosterone is the hormone responsible for sperm productionred blood cell productionmuscle growthlibidoenergy levels and male sex characteristics such as a deep voice and body hair.
Lowered levels of testosterone can be characterized by symptoms such as:
- Depression
- Erectile dysfunction
- Loss of libido
- Lethargy
- Declining muscle tone
- Osteoporosis
- Tiredness
- Irritability or mood swings
If you have been diagnosed with decreased levels of testosteronethen there are many compounded medications that may help you. In consultation with your doctor and our compounding pharmacistShamrock Specialty Rx can customize hormone replacement medications. For examplea transdermal gel can be compounded to deliver testosterone which can be absorbed more readily than other dosage forms.
Low Dose Naltrexonealso known as LDNis an increasingly popular treatment
option for autoimmune conditionsfibromyalgiapain control and even cancer.
Naltrexone was developed in 1965 and oral Naltrexone (50mg) was approved to
treat alcohol use disorders 1984. Naltrexone reduces both the rewarding effects of alcohol and craving for it.
Endorphins are opiate-like molecules produced naturally in the body and are
important regulators of cell growthand therefore the immune system.Naltrexone works by causing the body to increase its production of endorphinsand by making the body’s cells more receptive to the available endorphins.
A low dose of Naltrexone (LDN) takes advantage of Naltrexone’s impact on the
body’s endorphins but does so for a short period before being metabolized. This method of autoimmune support boosts the natural defenses of one’s own system by helping to increase endorphin production. The elevated levels of endorphins in turn assist in regulating cell growth and immunity.
LDN is used to treat conditions such as:
- Autoimmune diseases
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Crohn’s disease
- Central nervous system disorders
- thyroid-related conditions
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- HIV/AIDS
- Cancer
If you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease or cancer and are looking for supportmany patients with autoimmune conditions report
significant improvements in their symptoms. Patients report improvement in
fatiguepain and mood after taking LDN.
This is done most commonly by taking a dose before bedLDN then blocks the
production of endorphins for several hours thus prompting your body to
increase production and the resulting increase in available endorphins benefits the body’s immune system.
LDN is easy to administer and virtually free of side effects. The exact low dose differs by patient and condition. Typicallythe dose is in the range of 0.5mg to 3.5mg. Achieving an optimal strength for your body and condition is critical.
At Shamrock Specialty Rxwe help you find the correct dose of Naltrexone and
are then able to compound the correct dose of LDN to suit you.
Allergic reactions are a symptom of the immune system adversely reacting to
typically harmless substances. Common symptoms of an allergic reaction may
include rashesred eyessneezinga runny noseshortness of breathor swelling.
One of the most beneficial uses of compounded medicines is for patients who
suffer from allergic reactions to ingredients found in common commercial drugs. A compounding pharmacy is able to break a medication down into it’s base compoundsrecreating it with the same active ingredients either
removing/replacing the offending substance or making the medication into
something safer and less likely to cause an allergic reaction. For example a
compounding pharmacy may also be able to combine anti-allergenssuch as
antihistaminesinto a medication if needed.
The dosage form describes the physical form in which the medication will be
delivered into the body.
Common dosage forms include tabletsoral suspensionssyrupscapsulesdropstrochessuppositoriesinhalationinjections and transdermal patches.
Most common medications have only a handful of dosage forms. For example a
tablet and suspension. And may contain filler allergens.
At Shamrock Specialty Rxwe can offer a much broader range of dosage forms
than commercial medicationswhich is useful for many patients who may have
difficulty taking traditional commercial forms.
Working with you and your doctorour compounding pharmacist breaks a
medication down into its basic compounds and recreate it in a new dosage form that may be easier to take or even more effective than the original.
There are many different dosage forms available to choose from including:
- Transdermal creams
- Capsules
- Gummy Bears
- Suppositories
- Lollipops
- Capsules
- Suspensions
- Lozenges
- Syrups
Not all dosage forms are suitable for all medications and conditionsplease
consult with Tom or Cheryl O’Shea to work out which one will be right for you.
Drug shortages are unfortunately still common. Shortages can occur for many
reasons including qualityproduction delaysand discontinuations.
The FDA publishes a list of drug shortages on its website.
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/drug-shortages
In order to minimize the impact on physicians and patientsFDA allows
compounding pharmacies to compound commercial medications that have been discontinued or are on shortage.
If your medication is on the FDA drug shortage listplease call Tom or Cheryl O’Shea at
Shamrock Specialty Rx on 630-448-1185.