In studies of anesthesia prior to laryngoscopy, tetracaine or dyclonine solutions are consistently shown to be the most effective topical anesthetics. Laryngoscopy is an examination of the back of your throat including your larynx (your voice box). There are a few different methods of examining this area and topical anesthesia is necessary for most of them, with general anesthesia used for direct laryngoscopy. The options for commercially available anesthetic solutions…

Cysteine is an amino acid naturally found in the body. When used as a supplement or medication it is usually given in the form N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). When the body is given NAC it converts it into cysteine and then glutathione which is a powerful antioxidant. While it has a variety of uses, it is not commercially available in the form of a nasal spray. NAC has been shown to effectively…

In a recent article, UC Davis Health’s Dr. Toby O. Steele discusses his treatment protocol for patients suffering from loss of smell after recovering from COVID-19.  About 5-10% of patients will have lingering symptoms of reduced or altered ability to smell and taste after recovering from this viral infection. The loss of smell can actually have profound effects on an individual’s health including their nutrition, weight, and even safety in…

In a study that was published in June 2020 it was shown that 41% of patients with test-confirmed COVID-19 had dysfunctions of their sense of smell and 38.2% had dysfunctions of their taste. These results were based on self-reports. When objective measurements of dysfunction were used these rates were even higher. Given the prevalence of this long-term side effect, many who have recovered from COVID-19 are looking for a treatment…

Theophylline is a drug that was first used for treating asthma. It is a methylxanthine, which is a category that includes substances found in coffee, chocolate, and tea like caffeine and theobromine. However theophylline is much stronger than these substances. Research has shown that theophylline applied intranasally can help improve sense of smell for individuals with olfactory impairment. There has been renewed interest in this medication as many patients who…

Otitis externa (an infection of the external parts of the ear) is common, occurring in about 1 out of every 10 people in their lives. Even though many ear infections can be easily treated with topical formulations, systemic medications are often used. There are numerous topical medications available for treating ear infections but many have downsides. Unique combinations of antibiotic and antifungal ingredients can be made by a compounding pharmacy…

Congested sinuses and dry nasal passages often come with the changing of the seasons. Using a nasal rinse can help clear the sinuses of dust and debris and provide moisture. According to FDA guidance, nasal rinsing devices are “usually safe and effective when cleaned properly.” At Park Compounding Pharmacy we offer nasal rinsing devices that can be used alone or with compounded prescription medications. Reasons for Sinus and Nasal Problems…

Nasal drug delivery is one of the more overlooked methods of drug administration. Research is just starting to catch up to the widespread prescribing of nasal sprays by physicians. The nasal sprays most patients will be familiar with are things like decongestants for cold symptom relief and antihistamines for relief of allergy symptoms. However there are many other conditions that can be treated with nasally administered medications. History of Nasal…

A recent study concluded that budesonide in saline nasal rinse results in improvement of chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery and was conducted by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. The researchers wanted to learn what the effect would be of adding budesonide to a large-volume, low-pressure saline sinus irrigation for patients…

Drs. Jonathan Liang and Andrew Lane state in their article on topical drug delivery for chronic rhinosinusitis: “While the introduction of endoscopic sinus surgery revolutionized surgical management and has led to significantly improved patient outcomes, medical therapy remains the foundation of long-term care of chronic rhinosinusitis, particularly in surgically recalcitrant cases. … The goal of topical therapy is to address the inflammation, infection, and mucociliary dysfunction that underlies the disease.”…