The pain (and expectation of pain) of getting a local anesthetic injection can cause significant anxiety for many patients. Anxiety surrounding pain is the main reason many patients avoid going to the dentist when they have an oral health problem. Besides just improving the patient’s rating of their experience, better pain control before injections can lead to better oral health as well. Patients who experience less pain at their appointments…

The topical anesthetic gel for dentistry that we compound is BTT 12.5 - which is popular with dentists in multiple specialties. Since BTT is compounded, it is not FDA-approved. Without clinical trials and studies that demonstrate the efficacy and safety of particular dosages, most dentists rely on their experience and the advice of their peers when using compounded products. However there are general guidelines that can be used for applying…

Dermatologists and aestheticians frequently use benzocaine cream for a variety of skin procedures. The skin can be numbed with a benzocaine cream before everything from mole removal to skin tightening. This cream makes the experience of a cosmetic procedure more comfortable for patients and easier for professionals. Benzocaine cream is also sometimes prescribed to provide pain relief form minor burns and irritations on the surface of the body. While benzocaine…

Vulvodynia is a condition characterized by chronic vulvar pain that may include a burning or itching sensation. The condition is not caused by an infection or acute injury but often to neurological pain. The pain can be exacerbated by certain movements that cause friction like with bike riding or sitting. Pain is generally least noticeable when lying down. Pudendal, ilioinguinal, or genitofemoral neuralgia is often the cause of vulvar pain…

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…

There are many patient groups that can benefit from the services of a compounding pharmacy. For pediatric patients there are different delivery methods to avoid needing to swallow a pill and flavors that can be added to medications to make them more palatable. Some of the same benefits can apply for geriatric compounding services – especially the ability to have alternatives to oral medications. Seniors account for about 14.5% of…

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…

Recently facial fillers have become the next most popular cosmetic treatment after Botox. Fillers are injected to increase volume in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, lips, and other areas. While many cosmetic patients are now having facial fillers along with their Botox, having multiple injections may cause some discomfort. The fear of pain from an injection may even stop some individuals from using fillers, even though they want the results. Using…

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…