Many years ago, all pharmacies engaged in compounding medications. Over time, with the increase in manufacturing of prescription medications and the oversight of the FDA, compounding became more of a “niche” service for particular patient populations. A modern compounding pharmacy now makes formulations that help fill the gaps in treatment where a suitable commercially available medication is not available. These formulations often complement FDA-approved medications and do not just replace…

The management of chronic pain in most cases involves the prescribing of opioids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These classes of drugs often have undesirable adverse effects and drug interactions. There is a significant need to find ways to treat pain that have less adverse effects and less risk of addiction. A promising treatment for pain that is being studied is low dose naltrexone, an opioid antagonist that was first used…

The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy in all patients is diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy can result in pain and numbness in the legs and arms, hypoglycemia unawareness, difficulty standing and sitting, along with many other symptoms. The best way to treat and prevent diabetic neuropathy is to effectively manage blood sugar levels. While working on managing diabetes, there are multiple treatments available from a compounding pharmacy to provide symptomatic relief…

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), sometimes also called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), is a neuro-inflammatory disorder characterized by chronic, intense pain. It is often caused by damage to nerves from an injury but there are cases where the cause is not known. The condition likely develops after an injury due to a dysfunction in the nervous systems, although there may be many factors that contribute to its development. The most…

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…

Neuropathic pain requires different treatment than acute pain from an injury or inflammation. Pain from damaged nerves can be difficult to treat and will not respond to typical pain medications. While oral medications can be used to treat this type of pain, topical medications have been shown to be especially effective at reducing pain while minimizing systemic effects. The combinations and strengths needed to treat neuropathic pain are often not…

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently prescribed to treat arthritis pain and inflammation. When taken orally however, NSAIDs can lead to negative side effects including stomach upset, ulcers, and kidney and liver problems. Applying a medication on the skin directly to the area of pain limits the amount of the drug in the bloodstream compared to an oral medication. With customized topical NSAIDs made by a compounding pharmacy the systemic…

What is Fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain throughout the body. The severity of the disorder can vary between individuals, but most experience pain in their muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The pain is a deep muscular pain that is sometimes described as “throbbing” or “pounding.”  Many people with this condition also suffer from fatigue, poor sleep patterns, or other symptoms that can vary between individuals. Women are…