Athletes with different weights, metabolism, and dietary needs may require strengths and combinations of medications individualized to their needs. Multiple ingredients can be combined into one cream to treat different kinds of pain while minimizing the use of narcotics. While athletes can definitely benefit from sports medicine compounding, many of the treatments can also be used for anyone who is active and works out.
Considerations for compounding for athletes are similar to the considerations for other types of compounding. They include a patient’s:
- Weight
- Age
- Activity Level
- Allergies
- Medication Tolerance
- Injury Type
Topical Medications Used in Sports Medicine
One of the most frequently requested methods of delivery at our compounding pharmacy for treating sports injuries is a topical gel. Topical administration provides increased concentration of medication at the site of pain or injury without increasing overall systemic concentration. A topical gel can be dispensed in a pump with measured doses. Some topical gels are considered “transdermal” because they are able to penetrate the skin to treat inflammation and pain. Medications that may be applied topically to treat problems for athletes include pain medications, anti-inflammatories, antifungals, antibacterials, and more.
Medications taken orally can often result in gastrointestinal problem that can be debilitating and make continuing physical activity difficult. Oral administration of a medication can also result in interactions with other medications. A topical medication can reduce the chance that there will be systemic side effects like gastrointestinal problems, drowsiness, and cognitive dysfunction that can hamper athletic performance.
Sports Medicine for Injuries
There are multiple types of pain that each require their own treatment. The pain from an injury to the skin or a broken bone is one kind of pain that responds well to conventional pain treatments. Injury to nerves, however, can cause neuropathic pain that requires its own treatment. While an acute injury will heal and the pain will diminish, chronic neuropathic pain may continue much longer and require extended use of medication. Gabapentin is an effective medication to include for neuropathic pain that can be made into a transdermal gel.
Aches and pains can be reduced with the use of a combination pain gel. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed to treat pain and inflammation. When applied topically they eliminate the gastrointestinal problems that result from oral administration. Topical NSAIDS for treating sports injuries include indomethacin, ketoprofen, and more. The muscle relaxer cyclobenzaprine is also commonly included in pain gel formulations.
Other ingredients that may be included in a pain gel for treating sports injuries are capsaicin, menthol, and camphor. Capsaicin is made from chili peppers and can help by overloading pain receptors to block pain signals. Menthol and camphor are counterirritants that mask pain from an injury with either a cool or hot sensation. Lidocaine is a topical anesthetic that can be added to further reduce the sensation of pain.
Some pain rub formulations available from our compounding pharmacy include:
- Indomethacin 20%, Lidocaine 10%
- Cyclobenzaprine 2%, Ketoprofen 20%
- Cyclobenzaprine 2%, Ketoprofen 20%, Capsaicin 0.05%, Menthol 10%, Camphor
- Ketoprofen 20%, Capsaicin 0.0375%, Menthol 10%, Camphor
Antifungals Used in Sports Medicine
Topical medications can be made to treat fungal infections that are frequently found among athletes. Fungal infections of the feet (athlete’s foot) and nails (onychomycosis) are especially common. Amphotericin, itraconazole, and voriconazole are all antifungals that may be included in a cream for treating an infection. Ibuprofen, an NSAID, has been shown to enhance antifungals when they are combined in one cream. It may be added to a cream to provide additional antifungal and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Other Compounds Used in Sports Medicine
At our compounding pharmacy in Los Angeles we offer many options for customized treatments for athletes suffering from sports injuries and anyone who has an active lifestyle. Creams and gels for pain, inflammation, fungal infections, hyperhidrosis, and more can be made in strengths and combinations that are not commercially available.