Category: Medicine

These posts provide information about different types of medicine. However, we highly suggest you contact your doctor before deciding to take medicine.

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Medicine

The Importance of Finding a Good Pediatric Pharmacist

When it comes to the health of your children, you want to find the best possible care, and that includes finding the best pediatric pharmacist in your area.

You might have heard of ‘pediatric pharmacists’ before but most people are quite confused about who is essentially a pediatric pharmacist and how does he/she differ from a regular pharmacist. A In the simplest terms, a pediatric pharmacist is someone who counsels and assists children and their parents with the medications. They also track the medical progress of the patient and ensure no medication interacts or interferes with any of the existing medicine and suits the overall health of the child.

How is Pediatric Medicine Different from Adult Medicine?

Contrary to the popular belief, pediatric medicine is not a miniature version of adult medicine. It is much more than the body size differences. Most of the pediatric patients are in the developing phase. Hence, special attention to medication is required to ensure they don’t cause any growth and developmental problems. This is not a concern in adults so medication differs drastically. Pediatric patients take these concerns into account while prescribing medication to children.

The parent or guardian needs to give consent to pediatricians for them to provide care for children in the hospital. As minors are growing intellectually, socially, physically and emotionally, pediatric pharmacists navigate through these challenges to provide medicine that does not interfere with any of these parameters.

That is the reason most doctors recommend patients opt for a pediatric pharmacist instead of a normal pharmacist. We all want what is best for our children especially when it comes to their health and wellbeing. Specialized care is required when it comes to dealing with any health issues, getting supplements, or ensuring child’s wellbeing. It is important for parents and guardians to know the difference and choose the right medical care for children under 18 years of age.

How to Get Kids to Take Medicine?

Getting your child to take his medicine is not an easy task. All moms, dads, guardians are aware of this fact. Getting a child to taste anything bitter, especially when they are sick is like going on a war (without preparation). Whether your child is struggling with a chest infection, a long-term illness, dealing with growth problems, or any other issue, there is a medication that can help make them healthy and happy. However, making sure that your child takes that medicine is another task altogether.

1. Have a Discussion (If Your Child is Old Enough)

First things first, you need to remain calm in the situation. You need to have an understanding that as an adult, you realize the importance of medication. But a child is unable to see the benefits or the importance. Getting this basic understanding will lessen your annoyance, frustration and encourage you to adopt a more solution-oriented approach.

2. Educate Your Children

If your child is old enough to have a conversation, educate him/her about the importance of medicine and how it will help them feel better and make the pain go away, help them grow or ease the cough. Make sure your child trusts you. Lucky for all of us, we live in the day and age of the internet. There is a lot of educational video aid available on the internet which teaches children the importance of medicine. You can find specific cartoons for children of every age and trust me it will be effective. Children are extremely inspired by the cartoons and will surely understand your point of view better.

3. Reward Method

This works like a charm in most cases. Parents have been using this technique for years and years to get children to finish their meals, sleep on time, clean up the mess and even help them around the house. It’s time to use it in the case of medicine. Set up a reward; a chocolate, a slice of cake, a picnic, a movie night, a sleepover, or a gift for your child if they agree to take their medicine timely. It involves a bit of creativity and bribe but will definitely work if your children are three years old or above.

4. A Pediatric Pharmacist

In addition to all the tips mentioned above, you need help from a pediatric pharmacist. If you go to a pediatric compounding pharmacy, they will be able to alter your child’s medication in a way that your child will not be averse to it. Some of the benefits of pediatric compound pharmacy include:

  • A pediatric pharmacist will improve the flavor of the medication so it does not taste bitter and is child-friendly.
  • Every medicine has certain side effects. Compound pharmacy will ensure to minimize them and prioritize your child’s wellbeing.
  • Sometimes, a compounding pharmacist will alter the dose of medication to suit the need of the child based on his/her age and overall health.

In certain cases, a pharmacist adds or removes certain substances that can cause an allergic reaction in children; gluten, casein, dye, soy, lactose are some of the examples. Similarly, a child will love to have a fruity flavored medicine instead of an awful-tasting antibiotic. Regardless of the unique needs of your child, a pediatric compounding pharmacy will create a medicine that children take easily and are inclined with the overall health and healing of the child.

Burt’s Pharmacy Excels in Pediatric Compounding and Medicine

Burt’s Pharmacy and Compounding Lab is committed to helping you achieve your children achieve their health care goals. From everyday conditions to chronic illness and personal wellness, our experienced and skilled pediatric pharmacy team is there to serve you. With over 40 years of experience under the sleeve, they understand the importance of compounding pharmacy and the benefits it delivers.

In-house compounding services coupled with affordable rates and friendly staff members make it an ideal option for your children. All of our pediatricians are Fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP). That alone speaks for the quality of care that your child will get. For more details, you can always contact us and our team members will be here to serve you 24/7.

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Medicine

What Is Buccal Administration? 9 Things to Know About Buccal Medications

Buccal administration is a way to take medication without chewing or swallowing. Here are 9 things to know about buccal medications and when they may be a good option for you.

Bucca means cheek. Therefore, the buccal area in your mouth is the cheek. With buccal administration, you insert it in between your cheek and gums. Do not chew it, swallow it, or wash it down with a drink. Hold it between your cheek and gum and let it dissolve naturally.

The tissues of the mucus membranes inside your mouth absorb the medicine and send it directly into your bloodstream. It takes only about five to ten minutes for the medicine to start working on symptoms when applied this way.

Buccal medicines can come in sprays, liquids, tablets, lozenges, and films. Before buccal administration, there are some things you should know, like the ones listed below.

Facts About Buccal Medications

1. Compounding

A compounding pharmacy can compound all buccal medications. This means your pharmacist can create your medicine from scratch. They use a recipe unique to your needs and preferences. It’s like a personalized, customized product.

2. Emergency Use

Buccal administration is crucial in emergencies and if a person is not conscious but needs medication for survival. Someone else can place the medicine in the buccal pouch inside the mouth.

3. Adverse Reactions

If you have an adverse reaction to a buccal medication, you can spit it out, preventing further adverse reactions.

4. Buccal Administration

Buccal medications can sometimes be challenging to keep in place. It’s best to avoid talking, drinking, or moving the mouth until it dissolves completely. In some, they can trigger an overproduction of saliva, making you want to swallow. Instead, wait until the buccal medication has dissolved.

5. Accidental Swallowing

If you swallow a buccal medication by accident, don’t worry. It will not harm you. However, the medicine may not work as well, or you may not achieve the desired effects.

6. Side Effects

You will likely experience fewer side effects by taking buccal medications due to the gastrointestinal tract and liver bypassing. Side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea occur with some oral medications that must be swallowed.

7. Buccal Administration vs. Sublingual Administration

Buccal medications are different than sublingual medications. Although both are to be dissolved inside the mouth, buccal drugs are placed in the cheek, and sublingual drugs are placed under the tongue.

8. Effects

Buccal medications allow you to receive a higher percentage of the effects because they bypass the digestive system, breaking down some medicines.

9. Doses

Buccal administration also bypasses the liver, allowing you to take lower doses but receiving the same benefits.

These last two facts involving digestion and metabolism are often referred to as the first-pass effect.

 

 

First Pass Effect

The first pass effect is the process in which your body breaks down medication and delivers it into your bloodstream so it can be distributed throughout your body. Having a high first-pass effect means less medicine will reach your bloodstream and circulate through the body. A low first-pass effect means more of the medication will be distributed in your body.

Many oral medications like tablets and capsules are coated in materials to lessen the degradation of the medicine when it encounters stomach acid. Inevitably, when the medicine reaches your bloodstream, you do not receive 100% of its effects.

Buccal medicines solve this problem.

Types of Buccal Medications

Almost any medication can be compounded into a buccal form. Common buccal medications include Suboxone, or buprenorphine-naloxone, used to treat opioid addiction. Fentanyl is used for pain, antipsychotics for schizophrenia and bipolar, and nitroglycerin for chest pains related to heart problems.

Other buccal medicines prescribed include anti-seizure, testosterone, nicotine, and antibiotics. Each medicine should be taken with care. Working with your compounding pharmacist, you can learn the dos and don’ts of taking medication.

Buccal Administration: How To Take Buccal Medication

Before taking any medication that will be placed in your mouth, make sure you wash your hands first. Double-check the instructions on the label to ensure the correct dosage. For example, some doctors instruct breaking tablets in half or taking two tablets at once, so you want to follow orders.

Some buccal medicines are meant to spit out after a specific time; others are intended to dissolve entirely in your mouth. This information will also be on the label instructions.

Remove the medicine from its packaging. If it is a liquid, use a syringe provided by your pharmacist to measure the correct dose. Pull your cheek out to see the space between your cheek and gum, and place the medicine in that spot. Allow the medicine to dissolve.

If you think you want to try buccal administration, it’s time to talk to your compounding pharmacist.

Why Use A Compounding Pharmacist?

Compounding pharmacists make you the priority when it comes to creating medication. Most drug manufacturers create drugs to meet the needs of the mass market. For example, they create aspirin in 25mg and 50mg doses, using the same active and inactive ingredients, with the same outer coatings.

  • What if you are allergic to the ingredients?
  • What if you only need 15mg? Or 100mg?

You find yourself cutting and trying to get as close as possible to the correct dose that alleviates your symptoms.

Compounding pharmacists can create a dose in the exact amount you need.

Other advantages of compounding pharmacies include their ability to make your medicine taste better, adding flavors you enjoy. They can create your buccal medication, or any other medication, in a form that is easiest for you to consume. If you prefer liquid over the pill, they can make it. If you like film over liquid, you can get it.

Compounding pharmacists can combine medications to reduce the number you take each day. For example, they can mix your daily vitamins into your prescription. They can also check for possible drug interactions.

Finally, compounding pharmacies can create medication that can match any religious guidelines you would like to follow, accounts for allergies, and saves you money when possible. Because compounding pharmacists are so accessible, you can seek advice and information about buccal administration at any time, including today. Call or stop in the pharmacy to learn the many options you have regarding your medication.

And if you need more information about how a compounding pharmacy can help, contact Burt’s Rx today! We offer services such as pediatric compounding, pet compounding, compounded medication for pain management, BHRT, and dental compounding.

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Medicine

5 Tips for Improved Medication Therapy Management

Medication therapy management can be extremely valuable to patients as it can reduce medication errors and improve patient safety. Here are five tips for improved MTM.

Pharmacists are medication experts. They have countless hours of education and experience. If you take prescription medication, non-prescription medication, herbals, vitamins, or any other supplement, you can benefit from your pharmacist’s expertise. You can do so through Medication Therapy Management (MTM).

MTM is a program offered by a pharmacist to help patients understand their health conditions and the medication prescribed to treat the conditions.

Services provided through medication therapy management include:

  • Medication therapy reviews, where your pharmacist will collect your information and review it regularly.
  • Pharmacotherapy consults to those with more complex medication needs.
  • Disease and anticoagulant management support.
  • Pharmacogenomics applications that use genetics in assigning medicine to a patient.
  • Health, wellness, and community health services, like screenings and immunizations.

Finally, medication safety surveillance services are provided to prevent medication errors, which are preventable yet still very common in America.

Medication Therapy Management to Reduce Medication Errors

Each year, the Federal Drug Administration receives over 100,000 reports of medication errors either by doctors, nurses, or patients. Some common types of medication errors occur when prescribing, administering, and dispensing.

Other errors include taking the medication at the wrong time, receiving someone else’s drug, or receiving the wrong dose. Also, patients misuse their medication, and some do not follow instructions. A life-threatening error is negative drug interactions, when a patient is taking a medication that interacts negatively with another medication the patient is already taking.

Medication errors can happen the first time a patient takes a drug, or after many refills. This is just another reason why medication therapy management is such a crucial part of healthcare.

Because patient needs vary from one to the next, it’s essential to continually find ways to improve medication therapy management. Below are suggestions that can help patients reach their health goals safely.

1. Pharmacist-Patient Engagement

A medication therapy management program can’t work if patients and pharmacists can’t connect. Patients with questions need to get answers quickly. If the pharmacist is not available, allowing pharmacy students and technicians to answer some questions is okay. Some pharmacies provide emergency numbers for patients who have questions outside of pharmacy hours.

Medication knowledge held by a pharmacist is so valuable, and in some cases, can be life-saving. When a pharmacist can engage people in conversations about their medicines or over-the-counter supplements, they can better reach positive health outcomes.

Take every opportunity to connect with your pharmacist, whether with an in-depth consultation or a quick conversation, to learn more about the medication you are taking.

2. Education on Medications

Too often, a doctor prescribes medication, and the patient takes it or doesn’t. There is a gap between the prescription and consumption stages, one where the patient is educated about the drugs they will be taking.

To bridge the gap, pharmacists can provide updated information on every medication prescribed to a patient. Education should include why the drug is being prescribed, when to take it, how to store it, and what to do if a dose is missed.

Whether it should be taken with food or on an empty stomach, potential interactions and what to do if a reaction occurs should also be included in an education session with the pharmacist. The more a patient knows about and understands their prescription, the fewer errors will be made.

Medication errors affect the elderly more than any other group. But your pharmacists have ways of reducing this number.

3. Increase Protection for the Elderly

Pharmacists have access to The Beers List of Medications, a roster of medications that can harm older patients, specifically those over the age of 75. Doctors don’t consistently check this list when prescribing medications to patients. Knowing the pharmacist does this on their behalf makes patients feel confident when following medication schedules.

The Beers List also contains information on over-the-counter drugs that could cause adverse reactions in seniors. Because medications may change often and unexpectedly with elderly patients, pharmacists must keep the elderly and all other patients safe. This means staying up to date on potential side effects of medications too.

4. Investigate Symptoms as Side Effects

When a patient visits the doctor with new symptoms, the doctor doesn’t always consider whether the symptoms are related to the side effects of a drug previously prescribed. Some doctors think the answer is to prescribe additional medicines to treat the new symptoms.

The patient gets caught in a cycle with each new medicine prescribed, new side effects appear, and a new appointment is made with the doctor. Then, the process repeats. Before long, a person is taking multiple drugs to treat a misdiagnosis.

Pharmacists understand the potential side effects of both prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs. They can differentiate between side effects and new disorders and consult with physicians before starting a new medicine.

Over time, taking medication becomes overwhelming and leads to errors. Using the organization and reminder tools can help.

5. Suggest Medication Assistant Tools

It seems like every week; a new gadget hits the market promising to help manage medication schedules. From Smartphone Apps to portable machines, it is becoming easier for patients to stay on track with taking medicines correctly. Modern tools help patients avoid confusion about when to take their medications. They can avoid taking double doses or skipping doses, both of which can cause negative consequences.

Your pharmacists can engage patients in conversations about the advancements in tools to help them better manage their medicine schedules. They can provide instruction and answer questions right there on the spot.

Medication nonadherence is a significant cause of medication-related hospitalizations. If there’s an App or a piece of equipment to reduce harm and increase good health, pharmacists must let patients know.

In conclusion, it’s the patient-pharmacist relationship that makes medication therapy management successful. Finding ways to improve this relationship will lead to even greater outcomes. Follow-up contact is a great way to connect. It helps patients get answers to questions, and it allows pharmacists to determine whether patients are adhering to medication protocols and provide encouragement for ongoing medication management.

If you would like to improve your medication therapy management strategies, talk to the Pharmacists at Burt’s Pharmacy and Compounding Lab today!

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Medicine

Joint Pain Cream: Does it Work?

To further understand and increase awareness of Juvenile Arthritis, it is important to identify the different treatment options available. One of the most popular options for pain and inflammation is joint pain cream, but does it work?

July is Juvenile Arthritis Month, and we want to make you aware of how arthritis affects over 300,000 children and teens in America. One of the main symptoms reported by juveniles is joint pain. Compare this number to the number of adults with arthritis, 54.4 million, according to reports. This number is expected to rise to over 67 million by the year 2030.

It is statistics like this that make arthritis the most common cause of disability in America. And these don’t include the unreported cases.

Researchers are working hard to understand arthritis and find solutions that provide relief to those suffering. Until there is a cure, it’s essential to learn how to help someone suffering from joint pain. Establishing a clear explanation of joint pain is an excellent first step.

Joint Pain Explained

Joints refer to a place in the body where bones meet. There are three types of joints:

  1. One type is fibrous and is not able to move.
  2. Another type is cartilaginous. This means cartilage joins the two bones, making them move, but on a partial basis.
  3. The third type is synovial, which are free-moving joints.

All three types of joints can experience joint pain. Many people describe joint pain as feeling tender, sore, stiff, or like it is burning. Others say the area is inflamed.

Several things can cause joint pain, from an injury or infection to specific diseases. The most common cause, however, is arthritis, an inflammatory disorder. A consistent complaint of arthritis is joint pain.

Below are some quick facts about joint pain to further explain how it impacts the body and quality of life.

Quick Facts About Joint Pain

Tendons, ligaments, and muscles surround joints. Injury to any of these can cause joint pain. Also, certain disorders create joint pain, including fibromyalgia, polymyalgia rheumatic, bursitis, and tendonitis. This means that not all joint pain is related to arthritis.

Other facts include the following:

  • There are 360 joints in the human body
  • Exercise can help joint pain
  • Applying both heat and ice can ease joint pain. Ice reduces inflammation; heat relaxes muscles.
  • You cannot get arthritis from popping your knuckles or other joints
  • There is no cure, but there are many treatment options

You may be wondering when it is a good time to visit your doctor for treatment recommendations. Don’t put it off thinking you should be tough enough to cope or that home remedies work best.

Pay attention to your joint pain and seek help if you see redness in the joint area, feel intense pain, develop a deformity in the joint, and if the joint becomes red and swells suddenly. Also, if you can no longer move the joint, make an appointment with your doctor.

Your doctor will likely share a variety of treatment options.

Treatment Options

Doctors often recommend using hot and cold packs to relieve joint pain symptoms. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories for mild symptoms and prescription pain medications for severe symptoms, depending on your pain levels.

Steroid injections may be an option if medications and other treatments have not worked. There may be a time when your arthritis is so bad your doctor may need to look inside the joint to determine the cause of the pain. They do this with an arthroscopic procedure. If you still have pain, joint replacement may be an option.

Joint pain cream is often enough to ease the pain. It works quickly, and because they are topical pain relief, the medicine goes straight to the joint with pain. Benefits of using joint pain cream includes:

  • Getting a higher concentration of the medicine to the area of pain than pills deliver.
  • Creams don’t pass through the digestive system, eliminating medicine breakdown and stomach irritations.
  • You don’t have to worry about liver toxicity as you do with oral medications.

Choosing a Joint Pain Cream

There are many effective joint pain creams on the market. The problem with mass-manufactured joint pain creams is that they are created for the masses, not for your specific needs. Choosing the correct joint pain cream means making a lot of decisions, like:

  • Do you need a prescription cream or over-the-counter cream?
  • Do you need counterirritants that distract from the pain, salicylates that provide anti-inflammatory effects, capsaicin that block pain signals, or lidocaine that works as an anesthetic?
  • Which active and non-active ingredients may produce side effects or interactions with other medicines?
  • Do you prefer a gel or cream?
  • Do you prefer to rub it on with your fingers, use a patch, or with a rollerball?
  • Should you get a cream with added ingredients like CBD or essential oils?
  • Do you want scented or odorless joint pain cream?
  • Which consistency do you prefer?

It’s no wonder people get frustrated when shopping for the right joint pain cream. There are too many factors to consider. Unless you have a good understanding of creams, you may end up buying the wrong product.

There is a way to avoid making mistakes when purchasing joint pain creams; talk to your pharmacist about compounding. Compounded pain management creams are topical agents created by your pharmacist, right there in your local pharmacy.

Benefits of Compounded Cream

Compounding by your pharmacist is when they take basic ingredients and creates a product from scratch. The ingredients used in the recipe are based on your unique needs and preferences. When done, you receive a joint pain cream made only for you.

Your pharmacist will consider your allergies, application preferences, smell preferences and add ingredients that may enhance the effects of the cream. Consult with your pharmacist to learn more about compounded topical creams and whether they are the best choice to treat your pain.

Whether you have a juvenile with joint pain or are an adult suffering, you deserve the relief compounded creams can offer. Make your list of preferences and needs and take them to your pharmacist today.

If you go in July, you can help your pharmacy team spread awareness about juvenile arthritis.

CONTACT OUR PHARMACISTS        SEE OUR COMPOUNDED PRODUCTS

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11 Benefits of Topical Pain Relief Cream Over Traditional Pain Relief Pills

Topical pain relief cream is a great option to treat targeted pain and has many benefits over traditional pain relief pills. Here’s what to know.

When you feel pain, the goal is to make it stop. You don’t think about whether a pain relief pill or a topical cream will work best. You ask your doctor for help; they prescribe something, you take it for relief.

You are not alone. Millions of people struggle with chronic pain and seek treatment. Doctors offer prescriptions but don’t always let you know you have options. Below, we explain the difference between topical creams and pills for pain relief. We also give you 11 benefits of choosing the cream over pain pills.

Topical Pain Relief Cream

When you see the word topical, you can know that it means something is applied to the skin. In this case, a pain relief cream. To apply, you squeeze a small amount into your hand and rub it onto the skin closest to the pain you experience.

For example, if your pain is in your knee, rub the topical cream directly onto your knee.

This process is different when taking oral pain relief medication.

Traditional Pain Relief Pills

When taking a pill orally for pain, you swallow the pill, and it must pass through the digestive system before it enters the bloodstream and is distributed to the point of pain. Pain pills are often coated with an ingredient that protects the main ingredients from being dissolved by stomach acids. They can be harsh on the stomach lining and can take between thirty and forty minutes to feel relief.

This is not the only benefit of choosing a cream over a pill, however.

Benefits of Topical Pain Relief Creams

While both pills and topical creams work and are needed by those who have pain, there are some benefits to choosing topical pain relief cream.

Benefit #1

Topical pain relief creams are applied directly to the target area of pain. The pain relief chemicals are absorbed through your skin and send them to the spot that hurts.

Benefit #2

Topical creams provide pain relief quicker than oral pain medications since they do not have to pass through the digestive system.

Benefit #3

Topical creams only affect the area to which it is applied. Pain pills, on the other hand, affect your entire body. Because pill ingredients enter the bloodstream, it is distributed to all body parts. In addition, pain pills are sedating, which is why your thoughts, reflexes, speech, and other actions are slowed when taking a pain pill.

Benefit #4

Topical creams protect your stomach, digestive tract, and internal organs from damage caused by the long-term use of pain pills.

Benefit #5

Topical creams offer longer periods of pain relief than pills. Most pain pills last between four to six hours. Topical creams can last eight or more hours.

Benefit #6

Topical creams can treat more than one type of pain. For example, if you have neuropathy, topical creams can often reduce inflammation and alleviate this pain, whereas pain pills cannot. Also, topical creams can treat conditions like sports injuries or strain, musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, post-surgical pain, accident- and injury-related pain, idiopathic proctodynia, vulvodynia.

Benefit #7

People who take pain-relieving pills quickly build a tolerance to the drug. Tolerance means taking more and more medications to produce the same effects felt when you first took the drug. For example, if you are prescribed opiates for pain, you will likely be ordered to take one pill every four hours. However, within a few days, you may notice that you are not getting the same amount of relief by taking just one pill every four hours.

Instead, you need two pills every four hours. The longer you take pain pills, the higher your tolerance will build. Tolerance can build enough to cause your body to become dependent on them. Eventually, you can become addicted to pain pills.

With topical pain relief cream, there is a low risk of tolerance, dependence, or addiction.

Benefit #8

Topical creams offer fewer side effects than oral pain medications. Pain pills can produce stomach problems, drowsiness, clouded thinking, slowed movements, and blurred vision. Topical creams only affect the area in which you have pain.

Benefit #9

Topical pain relief creams do not interact with other over-the-counter or prescribed medicines you may be taking. Pain pills can have devastating interactions. For example, if you take an opiate for pain and take a benzodiazepine for anxiety, your respiratory system can stop working.

Benefit #10

Topical creams offer pain relief to people who are unable to swallow pills. As a result, they do not have to worry about a pill getting stuck in their throat or getting choked on their medicine.

Benefit #11

Topical pain relief creams can be compounded at your local pharmacy.

Compounding Topical Pain Relief Cream

The process of compounding is when your pharmacist uses to create medicines of all kinds, including topical creams. Compounding is a science. It’s like choosing specific ingredients, developing a recipe, and creating a product that is unique to each person.

By choosing compounded pain creams, you will work with your pharmacist by providing the necessary information. For example, your pharmacist will want to know if you have allergies to any ingredients, if you prefer odorless or scented, how thick you prefer your creams, and if you wish to add beneficial ingredients mixed into your cream.

With compounding of pain relief medications, numerous medicines can be compounded into creams other than pain medicines. Examples include muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory products, hormone therapy, corticosteroids, antiviral medications, anesthetics, antibiotics, antifungals, and scar cream.

Where to Start

Your first step in getting unique compounded topical pain relief cream is to talk to your pharmacist. He or she will help you understand the process of compounding and can explain further why it is a better, safer option than pain pills.

Your pharmacist will verify information about allergies, currently prescribed medications, and current over-the-counter medications you are taking.

If the topical pain relief cream you need requires a prescription, your pharmacist can communicate directly with your doctor to create the best product to relieve your pain.

Together, your treatment team can develop a topical cream that is an excellent alternative to pain pills.

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Medicine

Everything to Know About Topical Creams: Uses, Treatments, Dosage & More

Topical creams are a great medication option for a variety of ailments. Here is everything you need to know about topicals and how they may be able to help you.

Topicals are a mixture of ingredients applied to a particular spot on the body. They are applied to the outer skin, mucous membranes, or more delicate places. The topical is applied only to the area needing treatment. There are many varieties or classes of topicals. A standard class is called cream.

Topical creams can be purchased over-the-counter or with a prescription from a doctor.

What is a Topical Cream?

Topical creams are a mixture of oil and water for the base. They are created using two different processes but with the same ingredients. One way is called the oil-in-water emulsion, and the other is called the water-in-oil emulsion.

With the first, a few drops of oil is mixed into a continuous water phase. The second is made by dropping a few drops of water into a continuous oil phase.

The use of the topical cream will often determine which method is used. For example, if using it for cosmetic purposes, you may choose the oil-in-water version. It is lighter and easier to wash off if needed. It can be easier to apply too.

Oil-in-water topical creams feel less greasy and are quickly absorbed. This can also mean you may have to apply the cream more often than when using the water-in-oil variety.

The cream created with more oil than water help hold in moisture. The oil can act as a protective barrier to the skin. It can keep out harmful agents, like bacteria and yeast, or too much sun. It can also hold in good agents, like water and nutrients.

Depending on the manufacturer, creams can vary significantly with the ingredients added to the oil and water. It is usually white and is thick enough to hold its shape when taken out of its package.

Topical Cream Uses

Topical creams are used for a variety of reasons. The most common are created to apply steroids, moisturizers, and antibiotics.

For those with allergies or allergic reactions, like insect bites or stings, creams with steroids can help alleviate symptoms. Potency can range from mild to super. Hydrocortisone is an example of a topical cream with steroids.

Topical creams can provide relief from:

  • Inflammation
  • Itching
  • Swelling
  • Stinging
  • Pain relief, and more

Certain skin conditions, like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis, can be healed using topical creams. Also, they can aid in eliminating yeast infections and replace hormones if needed. Creams can reduce rosacea, acne, and hemorrhoids.

Aiding in relief from the above conditions is not the only reason to choose a topical cream.

Why Choose a Topical Cream?

Topical creams are easy to apply and, for most, are easy to tolerate. To apply a cream, you can typically use the tip of a finger or q-tip to scoop out the desired amount. Then, place the cream on the skin and rub it in until all is absorbed.

Creams work well when treating wet skin conditions or wounds that are oozing. It also takes less cream to cover more area when compared to ointments.

Creams are like lotions but thicker. They are pharmaceutical formula products. Meaning, a pharmacist can adjust the thickness to meet your preferences. They can even add scents or coloring.

A benefit of using a topical cream is that if you don’t like taking an oral medication, this is an alternative. Other benefits include fewer digestive problems, quick relief time, and it is less likely to be abused.

Pharmacists use the base mixture of cream to add the medicine you need to resolve medical issues. They do this through a process called compounding.

Compounded Topical Creams

Compounding is a process that starts with a prescription sent from your doctor to your pharmacist. The pharmacist then combines the active ingredients and the correct dose of medicine while also investigating specific factors about you and your life. For example, your pharmacist will consider the medication you are already taken and whether it may interact with the cream.

There are times with commercially produced topical creams include inactive ingredients that are not suitable for everyone. Compounding helps you get those medicinal ingredients but with more compatible inactive solutions.

Commercially produced items can be in short supply, like during the global pandemic of COVID-19. It’s nice to have a pharmacist who can create the product for you on-site in such cases.

Pharmacists who compound topical creams make sure the ingredients will not create allergic reactions or adverse side effects. They can also teach you safety tips and how to administer the cream properly.

Safety Tips for Using Topical Creams

Like all medications, you must use them according to safety guidelines. Only apply the cream to the area that needs it. In other words, use as directed by your physician and pharmacist. Do not let anyone else use your medicine.

Pay attention to potential side effects. If you notice side effects, discontinue use and contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects can include worsening of the condition, inflammation, and changes in skin color. Other side effects can be explained to you by the pharmacist. Before your consultation, develop a list of questions.

Consult with Your Pharmacist

Educate yourself on what you put on or in your body. Pharmacists are experts and can give you the knowledge you need to get the most benefit from your topical cream medication.

Information you should get from your pharmacist includes the:

  1. Medication’s name
  2. Why it is prescribed
  3. How it works
  4. When to take it

Also, find out how often and for how long you should apply the cream.

If you take vitamins, minerals, prescribed, or non-prescribed medications, ask the pharmacist about potential interactions.

Topical creams are, for the most part, harmless. Talking to your pharmacist gives you an advantage when using products, whether compounded or not.

If you have questions about topical creams or any medication, don’t wait to reach out to your local pharmacist. You can call or visit in person to get answers. You can even get in touch today. Your pharmacist is eager to help.

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Medicine

Managing Heart Medications: How A Compounding Pharmacy Can Help

Managing heart medications can be a tough task but a compounding pharmacy can help your regimen. 

According to the Center for Disease Control, someone in America dies every 36 seconds due to heart disease. That translates to one in four people and over 650,000 people a year, and they are often younger than 65 years old.

These numbers do not include the alarming statistics of how many people have heart attacks or heart-related issues and do not die.

Researchers have found that heart medications are one of the first lines of defense in preventing heart disease and related events. They are essential for those seeking positive heart health.

What is Heart Health?

Heart health refers to a lifestyle that includes making healthy choices in all areas of your life so you can live longer. It means understanding the risks of not making good choices while taking measures to reduce the chances of having a heart attack or other major health events.

Heart health includes:

  • Focusing on healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Managing weight
  • Managing stress
  • Being physically active
  • Getting proper sleep

A big part of positive heart health is taking medications prescribed by your doctor. While no one enjoys taking pills daily, they can add years to your life and allow you to make lifestyle changes before it is too late.

After a thorough exam, your doctor will assign the best medications to treat the issues you have that could lead to heart disease.

Heart Medications

There are numerous heart medications to help prevent a heart-related event. The one you may be prescribed will be based on your issues, like high blood pressure, chest pains, cholesterol imbalance, or clotting.

Anticoagulants

One group of heart medication is called anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners. These medications prevent blood clots from forming. They do not dissolve blood clots that have already formed, however.

ACE Inhibitors & Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Another anti-clotting medication focused on the prevention of blood platelets from sticking together. Medicines that help your blood flow easier are referred to as ACE inhibitors or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. They expand your blood vessels to allow blood to flow more freely, so the heart doesn’t have to work so hard to do its job.

Beta-Blockers

Beta-blockers decrease your heart rate and the force of contraction to lower your blood pressure. It keeps the heart from having to continuously work overtime to function.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers are also used to treat high blood pressure by preventing calcium from entering the cells of the heart. Cholesterol-lowering medications are similar and often prescribed to lower the amount of plaque buildup in your blood cells.

Diuretics

Diuretics are also commonly prescribed for heart health if your body needs assistance in ridding itself of excess fluids that can buildup and make it harder for your heart to function.

Before You Take Medication

As noted, there are many heart medications, and the ones listed above are just a few of the most common types.

Before taking any medications, make sure you understand why you are taking it, what it is made of, how to take it, and what to do if you have an adverse reaction. The more you know about your medication, the more control you can have over its effectiveness.

Do not just take medication blindly. Ultimately it is your health at stake.

Ask questions to your pharmacist, the expert in pharmaceuticals. Your pharmacist can also help bust the myths connected to taking heart medications.

Myths About Taking Heart Medications

The American Heart Association has put together a list of the most common myths regarding heart medication. The first, that it is okay to stop taking your heart medication when you feel alright.

Myth #1

Stopping your medication cold turkey at any time can be dangerous. When you are feeling good, it is because you have been taking your medication. That is a clue you should continue your medication. If you stop taking medication, you could cause precisely what you are trying to avoid, a heart attack or stroke.

Myth #2

Another myth is that you can supplement or replace your heart medications with vitamins or over the counter formulations. This can be dangerous in that some supplements may cause negative interactions with your heart medication. For example, vitamin K can have an interaction with blood thinners.

Myth #3

The best way to avoid interactions is to ask your pharmacist to check your medication list. This leads to a third myth that natural supplements work better than prescribed medicines. This is false because you can’t be 100% sure of the ingredients in supplements, especially those not approved by the FDA. Also, there have been few, if any, studies showing the effectiveness of preventing heart-related events.

Myth #4

A few more Mythbusters include the following: generic brands are just as effective as brand name; it is not okay to pop over the counter medications for headaches or congestion without checking with your pharmacist or doctor first, and the pills alone will not keep you from dying – you must have a healthy lifestyle too.

Myth #5

Finally, some people believe they are stuck with taking a one-size-fits-all medication. Not so. In fact, your pharmacist can create compounded medicine made to order, meeting your needs only.

The Importance of Compounded Heart Medications

A compounding pharmacy creates specialized medication for your needs. They formulate your doses using your prescription, as well as personal issues you have. For example, if you have allergies to certain ingredients, your pharmacist can ensure your medicine does not include those ingredients. Or, they can ensure your medication does not interact with anything else you are taking.

Compounding allows your pharmacist to changes doses, create more comfortable to ingest varieties, and they can even combine your medications so that you are only taking one total dose per day.

Pharmacists who compound medication locally can make sure you are getting the safest, freshest medicines in a form that is easiest for you to take.

Start building your relationship with your local pharmacist today. Ask questions and allow them to help you improve your heart health.

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Medicine

How to Get Kids to Take Medicine: 7 Tricks to Know

It’s no surprise that children generally dislike medication, so what do you do when your child is sick? Try these 7 tricks to get kids to take medicine.

The struggle is real for many parents. Your child gets sick. After a visit to the pediatrician, you leave with a prescription for medicine that you know will make them feel better. You pick up the prescription and head home. Your anxiety sets in because you foresee the difficulty in getting your child to take medicine.

You try begging, pleading, and even bribery to get them to take it. After an hour of trying everything you know to do, you feel like giving up.

It does not have to be this way. There are numerous tricks to get kids to take medicine. Below are nine that have helped many parents with the same problem.

1. Get Help From Your Pharmacist

Pharmacists and doctors have been answering questions for years from parents just like you. They have even come up with ways to help. Pharmacists can compound children’s medications to meet your child’s specific needs.

Pharmacists can create medicines in liquid, pill, gummies, or powder forms. They can even add your child’s favorite flavorings to take away the bad taste of some medications. Finding the right children’s medication for your child is essential, and that’s where we come in! Pediatric compounding is the best way to get kids to take medicine as it caters to their individualized needs.

2. Add Medicine to Food

Ask your pharmacist to compound your child’s medication in a way that you can easily blend it with their favorite foods. Applesauce, soups, juices, and chocolate milk are easy foods and drinks for blending. If you get creative, other favorites like pizza and hotdogs can work too.

The key to mixing medicine with foods is to work with your pharmacist to make sure you are not altering the medication’s effects, like if they are supposed to be time-released. Also, put the medicine in smaller portions to ensure the full dose gets eaten.

One cool hack is to mix the medicine in a dollop of cool whip with sprinkles on top. Another hack is to combine the medicine with chocolate syrup to get kids to take medicine.

3. Let Your Kids Make Decisions

Depending on your child’s age, it’s essential to let them have some control over what goes into their bodies. They also need to understand why they need medicine, and it is vital to explain the reason for them in a way that matches their learning level.

Let your child ask questions and answer them honestly. Let your child pick the flavor they want and how they want to take it. You can also let them select a small reward after they complete taking medicine.

4. Give a Small Reward

To help to get kids to take medicine, each time your child takes their medication, praise them verbally. You may also want to let them pick a small reward like a sticker, lollipop, popsicle, or something else they enjoy to entice them to take their medicine.

Your child does not deserve a new bike, money, or other large rewards for merely taking their medicine. Make sure the prize fits the action.

5. Use Clever Tools

If your child uses a pacifier, invest in a medicine pacifier. Ask your pharmacist to show you how they work. You can also choose medicine droppers and medicine spoons rather than trying to force them to drink from a small cup.

Likely there are other tools like this to make it easier for you and your child.

6. Model the Behavior You Want to See

Your child is watching to see how you react. If you are stressed, they will feel stress and may resist the medication. If you are angry, they may act mad in response and reject your attempts. Choose behaviors that will encourage your child to take their medicine.

If you want it to be a fun experience, do fun things while giving them medicine. Play a game, sing a song, or create some new dance moves. Think outside the box and get creative. Let your child create the game or song and decide at which point during each they take medicine. Continue to have fun after the dose is ingested.

If you take medication, let your children see you taking it. Have a positive attitude about it.

7. Make It Cold

Medicines taste better when they are cold. Refrigerate the medicine or put it on ice, so it is more flavorful. Or, have a cold, great-tasting drink ready at medicine time. Before and after your child takes their dose, have them take a drink.

This also helps to numb the taste buds at the front of the tongue. Some parents find having their child suck on a popsicle before they take medicine is the best way to numb taste buds, so your child doesn’t want to spit the medicine out when they consume it.

8. Let Your Doctor Give the First Dose

Children find it easier to manipulate parents, even though they don’t even know what it means to manipulate. They know how to get what they want, like getting out of taking their medicine.

When children are being instructed by non-parents, like police officers, firefighters, and yes, doctors, they tend to respond better.

To get kids to take medicine better, ask your doctor to provide a mini-teaching session for your child. Have them explain why they need the medicine, how it will help, and how to take it. Your doctor can even give your child the first dose, helping both of you understand administration.

If your doctor cannot give the first dose, ask your pharmacist to provide the child’s mini-teaching session. Working with a professional in a white lab coat may convince your child to take their medicine.

9. Tag Team

Work with your spouse or another family member to help get kids to take medicine. Choose a team member that doesn’t give in to your child’s demands or tantrums if they should occur. Your child may feel outnumbered and follow orders.

If not, there may be a time where you and your partner need to administer the medicine together. In such cases, you must first ask your pharmacist to teach you how to do this so you avoid accidentally causing your child to choke.

With these suggestions, you can feel more confident in getting your child to take their medication.

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Medicine

Common Thyroid Medication and Treatment Options

Thyroid issues are extremely common and affect nearly 12 million Americans. Here are 5 common thyroid treatment options to consider.

Let’s do a neck check.

Place your finger on your chin. Gently slide it down the midline of your neck until you feel something hard. This is thyroid cartilage that leads to your Adam’s apple. Keep sliding your finger down until you feel more cartlidge that wraps around the windpipe. Slide down again two digits, and you will feel the Thyroid isthmus, which connects the two lobes of the thyroid. Use your finger to feel for lumps or abnormalities.

Or, the next time you take a sip of water, do it in front of a mirror. Tilt your head slightly back, so your nose is pointing towards the ceiling. As you drink the water, watch your neck and see if any noticeable lumps or bumps appear as you swallow.

Doing these simple tricks at home does not guarantee you have or do not have a Thyroid disorder, but they can help you recognize when to seek medical treatment. Even if you don’t see an abnormality but are having symptoms associated with Thyroid problems, consult with your doctor. There are specific tests that can provide answers.

You don’t want to be one of the millions of people who go undiagnosed each year.

The American Thyroid Association reports 12 million people struggle with Thyroid problems, with 60 percent being undiagnosed.

Statistics like this can be alarming since we know the thyroid affects every cell, tissue, and organ in your body. The thyroid may be small in size, but it has a lot of power. It releases necessary hormones into your system.

This may be why there are so many symptoms associated with a malfunctioning Thyroid.

Symptoms of Thyroid Disorders

Many of the symptoms can be confused with other illnesses, making it even more important to consult with a professional.

Patients often report symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and irritability. Also, muscle weakness, weight changes, digestive issues, dry skin, and sleep disturbances occur. If you have sensitivities to heat and cold, it could be due to imbalanced thyroid hormones.

The list of symptoms can be lengthy and vary from person to person; another reason speaking with a professional is essential.

If you want to learn more about the thyroid before making an appointment with your doctor, visit your pharmacist. Your pharmacist is an expert in symptoms related to all disorders, as well as treatment options.

Obtaining education from your pharmacist can help you decide how to seek help from a physician and choose between treatment options, some of which are listed below.

Treatment Option: Medication

Most family physicians will order lab work to check your Thyroid hormone levels. If your levels fall out of normal range, you will likely be prescribed medication to regulate Thyroid hormones. Doctors typically start your medication, which is synthetic, at the lowest dose, and retest your hormone levels after a few months. It’s crucial to analyze your test results.

You need to know if you fall on the high or low end of the thyroid spectrum or in the middle. If your levels are low but still within the normal range, your doctor may not consider treatment. But being at the low end or the high end can signal problems to come.

For example, if the normal range is between 4 and 9. Your test results show you are a five, and you have multiple common symptoms of Thyroid disorder. Your doctor may not think you need treatment. However, being so close to the abnormal means, at a minimum, you should be making changes that support a healthy Thyroid, like finding ways to treat or replace your hormones.

Treatment Option: Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is used to replace your imbalanced hormones with human-made but chemically identical to the hormones your body naturally produces.

Something to keep in mind with this treatment is that there are two types of BHRT. One is the medication made by drug companies. A second type is compounded by your pharmacist, locally, and using only ingredients ordered by your doctor.

Choosing compounded BHRT means your medication is created specifically for you, meeting only your needs. Your pharmacist can take allergies and potential interactions into consideration when making your BHRT. Your pharmacist can even make your medicine in forms like creams, gels, or injections based on your preferences.

For many, compounding is found to be safer and more effective.

Treatment: Diet Protocols

What you eat can affect your thyroid. There have been many reports on the importance of probiotics to reduce inflammation in the gut.

Your local pharmacy sells top brand probiotics. Reducing the amount of sugar in your diet can also reduce inflammation that can trigger hormone imbalances. This is an excellent time to ask your doctor for food sensitivity testing so you can know exactly which foods to avoid.

Treatment: Supplements

Vitamins and Minerals can help regulate Thyroid hormones. These can be used in conjunction with prescribed medication, giving them a boost. Vitamin B12 is one vitamin noted for helping thyroid production. It may also help with symptoms of feeling tired or weak.

Zinc and Selenium have been noted to help in metabolizing and synthesizing Thyroid hormones from inactive to active. Also, iodine, magnesium, and vitamins C and D can improve symptoms.

Because there are so many options, work with your pharmacist to determine which vitamins and minerals will be best for you.

Treatment: Herbs

Studies have shown several herbs positively influence thyroid function. Some of these include ashwagandha, which is also great support for your adrenal glands. It can ease brain fog and stress. Bugleweed calms nerves, reducing tension and stress, allowing your thyroid to function better.

Another metabolism booster is guggul gum, used in auyervedic medicine to reduce inflammation. To lower blood pressure and regulate blood sugars, many are turning to forskolin. More recently, it has been connected to weight loss.

Don’t wait to learn more. Your pharmacist is accessible, knowledgeable, and eager to help you understand common thyroid medications and treatment options.

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Medicine

How to Manage a Complex Medication Regimen

Taking multiple vitamins can be difficult and confusing. With this guide, managing a complex medication regimen can be easier and more efficient.

Two-thirds of people in the United States have taken a prescription medication in the past month. Unfortunately, half of them do not take their medications as prescribed or stop taking them altogether. This is dangerous and leads to thousands of deaths each year.

There are many reasons for this non-adherence, like finances and transportation.

One of the main reasons is the fact that they have more than one prescription. Many must consume more than five or six pills a day.

Each medication has different requirements to be met. Time of day, amount, taken with or without food, and how to store them, to name a few. For someone who is ill, keeping up with all these medication requirements can become overwhelming. It is easier to stop taking them rather than try to manage a complicated medication regimen.

Even caregivers can find it difficult at times. It’s important to talk with your pharmacist to create a plan to manage better how you take your medication to avoid adverse health consequences. Below are some tips to help.

1. Receive Education on Your Meds

When your pharmacist asks if you have any questions about your medication, take this opportunity to learn more. Managing a complex medication regimen begins with knowledge. The more you know about your medicine, the better you understand its importance.

Sure, you are given literature stapled to your medication bag, but how often do you take the time to read it? Most people do not read the information. By receiving education from your pharmacist, you can learn about side effects, interactions, and how to consume your medicine correctly.

2. Receive Education on Your Disease

You should never take medication without being educated on your disease. Understanding how your medications work doesn’t mean a whole lot unless you understand how they work specifically to treat your condition.

  • If you have diabetes, you need to know why taking diabetic medicine can improve your diabetes symptoms.
  • If you have high blood pressure, you must understand why lowering your blood pressure can prevent other diseases, including heart disease.

Learn exactly what the medication does when you consume it, like where it goes into your body, and what it does once it arrives.

3. Make a Chart

To manage a complex medication regimen, create a chart that lists your medicines. The chart should be kept in a central location. Include the name of your medication, the time of day to take your medicine, and whether it should be taken with or without food.

If your medicine should be taken more than once a day, list the drug more than once on the chart. Treat each dose as different medication, so there is no room for error. You can even color-code your medications if it makes it easier.

Also, list any vitamins or over the counter medications you are taking on this chart. Using a chart can help you stick with a medication routine.

4. Develop a Routine

Routines can lead to habits, and when it comes to taking medication, this can be a good thing. Taking medication every day at the same time every day will help your body adjust to the changes the drug is offering.

Your routine should also include using the same pharmacist every time for having your prescriptions filled. This gives your pharmacist the ability to check for potential drug interactions, keeping you safer, and helping you adhere to your regimen.

5. Pharmacy Programs to Help

Your pharmacy likely offers multiple ways to help you adhere to your medication regimen. Reminder calls, texts, and emails about refills are one example.

Staying on track with your refills is essential when trying to stick with a medication routine.

Many pharmacists can package your prescriptions, so they meet your needs. This means your pharmacist can put your morning, mid-day, and evening doses together, but in different packaging, so there is no mistaking that should be taken and when.

If your pharmacy isn’t able to package your medications, work with pharmacy staff to pick the best pill organizing system to help you stay on track.

If you need to split medications, ask your pharmacist for help. Your pharmacy will help you create a solution. If they cannot provide them to you already split, they can teach you how to choose and use your medications’ right splitting tool.

6. Get Reminders

If you have a smartphone or alarm clock of some kind, you can set reminders for yourself or a caregiver. Alarms are very beneficial in preventing missed doses, which can lead to dangerous health issues. It’s easy to get caught up in chores and life responsibilities and forget to take your medication.

Because it is not safe to take double doses or constantly rearranging your dosing schedule, you must do what you can to keep your medication regimen on track. Reminder notifications help reduce this problem.

You may be able to purchase timer caps for your medication bottles that can be set to go off when it is time for your dose.

7. Know the Dangers

If you do not stick with your medication regimen, you may face health problems that can be dangerous, even fatal. Work with your doctor and pharmacist to learn what can happen if you miss a dose, stop taking your medication, or take too much medicine.

The more you know about the consequences of non-adherence, the more you will want to avoid the adverse effects.

Consequences can include the disease becoming worse. Medication is often used to slow or cure a disease. If you don’t take it, the condition will grow. Not taking your medication as prescribed can mean frequent trips to the hospital to treat negative symptoms.

For some who take too much medication, an overdose is a possibility. Many overdoses can lead to death.

Finally, the improper taking of medications can lead to drug interactions, addiction, accidents, and additional health problems.

There are many benefits of sticking to a medication regimen, and you deserve to live the healthiest life possible. If you have questions, start today by reaching out to your pharmacist.

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