According to a report in Time magazine that was published in 2015, almost 10 million Americans still use tanning beds in spite of well-known risks. In addition, our society continues to consider a tan and sun-kissed skin an attractive quality, leading millions of people to actively seek out a natural tan by laying out in the sun. Unfortunately, getting a tan involves exposing the skin to potentially harmful ultraviolent rays, significantly increasing the risk of developing melanoma or other skin cancers.

Pharmaceutical Products and Skin Cancer Treatments

Many people who develop skin cancers are required to undergo treatments that can be very hard on the skin and leave patients with significant chronic pain. Topical treatments can considerably help the healing of the skin after surgery and can also help reduce the pain associated with these kinds of procedures. Some of the treatments that are often used in conjunction with skin cancer treatment include transdermal lidocaine patches for neuropathic pain and compounded analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs).

For some forms of skin lesions that have the potential to become cancerous, aggressive non-surgical treatment with pharmacologic topicals can often be effective. Some of the pharmacologics that are used in these applications include the following:

• Imiquimod
• Fluoroplex
• Fluorourcil
• Diclofenac sodium gel

Kress Specialty Apothecary can Help Skin Cancer Patients

As a compounding pharmacy, Kress Specialty Apothecary is equipped to formulate various topical pharmaceuticals that have the potential to help people who are going through skin cancer treatment. We work closely with our clients in order to determine a formula that will best suit their needs and engage in active follow ups to ensure that our products are working as effectively as possible. Our trained compounding pharmacists will work closely with your physician in order to ensure that you are receiving the best medical care possible. In addition to our custom medications, we offer an in-house brand of pre-formulated products that may be able to meet your needs as well.

Stop in to Kress Specialty Apothecary Today to Peruse our Pharmaceutical Products Today

At Kress Specialty Apothecary, we are committed to providing our customers with personalized care and offer a line of proprietary pharmaceutical products designed to treat a variety of conditions. In addition, we offer retail pharmacy services, compound custom medication, compound medications for household pets, and provide pharmacogenetic testing. To learn more about our services and products, visit or call Kress Specialty Apothecary today.

Compounding Medications to Treat Mucositis after Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy and radiation are extraordinarily hard on a person’s body. While side-effects of treatment such as hair loss are commonly known, many people are not aware of the fact that chemotherapy often causes an extremely painful and uncomfortable condition known as oral mucositis. This condition involves swelling of the tissues in the mouth and can cause the following symptoms:

• Sores in the mouth
• Mouth pain
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dry mouth
• Thick saliva

In a worst-case scenario, a cancer patient has such a severe case of oral mucositis that it makes it impossible to eat. When this occurs, treatment often has to be discontinued in order to allow the patient’s oral cavity to heal. Of course, stopping treatment should be avoided at all costs, making treating mucositis a priority for cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy.

Unfortunately, there is often a gap in coverage for cancer patients when it comes to dental care. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, many patients do not receive dental care until serious complications have already developed.  While the reasons for this are varied, what is clear is that this lack of care makes compounding pharmacists well-situated to provide dental supplies, oral rinses, mouthwashes, pain relief, and other products to cancer patients suffering from oral mucositis.

There are many ways that a compounding pharmacy can help cancer patients who are suffering from this condition manage their pain and other symptoms. There are a variety of medications that could be used to treat mucositis, including the following:

• “Magic mouthwash” – Mixed medication mouthwash, often referred to as magic mouthwash, is specially formulated by a compounding pharmacy to a physician’s instructions for a specific patient. It often contains an anesthetic such as lidocaine, a coating agent like aluminum hydroxide or magnesium, an anticholinergic agent like Benadryl, and other drugs.
• Morphine mouthwash for pain management
• Oral rinses that contain antifungals like nystatin, fluconazole, and clotrimazole
• Coating agents such as Gelclair

Call or Stop by Today for More Information!

Cancer patients need all the help they can get. At Kress Specialty Apothecary, we are able to compound medications that can help manage pain and treat other issues associated with chemotherapy and radiation treatment and put them in a form that is easy to take. To learn more about how we can help you and your family, call us at 856-323-8723 or stop by today.