Pharmacogenetic testing is the process of determining how a person’s genetic makeup will determine his or her responsiveness to drugs. It is a combination of pharmacology and genetics that allows medical professionals to tailor pharmaceutical treatment to an individual patient.

What are the Benefits of Pharmacogenetic Testing?

Many drugs have the potential to cause side-effects which can range from annoying issues such as a dry mouth or diarrhea to life-threatening reactions that require immediate hospitalization. Pharmacogenetic testing can minimize the risk that you will suffer adverse effects. In addition, pharmacogenetic testing can tailor the dosage of your medication in such a way as to maximize its effectiveness while minimizing the amount that you have to take.

How is Pharmacogenetic Testing Performed?

You may be concerned about the cost and potential discomfort associated with undergoing pharmacogenetic testing. Fortunately for people who are seeking to improve the efficacy of their medications, pharmacogenetic testing is not particularly expensive and is certainly not invasive.

Pharmacogenetic testing is performed through a swab of the cheek in order to obtain a DNA sample. This sample is then sent to a lab, and the results will be returned within a few weeks. These test results will detail the way your body responds to 14 different classes of drugs. Best of all, because the test results are valid for the rest of your life, a simple cheek swab can result in a lifetime of better medical care.

Our Compounding Services and Pharmacogenetic Testing Services Work Together

As mentioned above, pharmacogenetic testing can help accurately determine the ideal dosage of a medication. Unfortunately, this knowledge may be useless if that particular dosage is not available commercially. Many drug manufacturers make their medications in standard dosages that may be too small or large for a particular patient, and cutting pills into various fractions is not particularly accurate. At Kress Specialty Apothecary, however, we are able to compound drugs into exact dosages that match the recommended dosage provided by the results of your pharmacogenetic testing. In addition to making customized dosages, we can also compound your medications into different forms to make them easier to take, including topical creams, syrups, suppositories, or even lollipops.

Call 856-323-8723 or stop by today for more information

Pharmacogenetic testing can significantly improve the effectiveness of your healthcare. Our testing is non-invasive, covers 14 different classes of drugs, and is often covered by health insurance. To learn more about how pharmacogenetic testing can help you, call Kress Specialty Apothecary today at 856-323-8723.

Losing a significant amount of weight takes time, commitment, and discipline. In this day and age of instant gratification, many Americans do not want to watch what they eat and exercise for an extended period of time. Instead, they want weight loss NOW. For this reason, many people turn to over-the-counter weight loss pills and supplements to try to shed weight.

Many people who take diet pills may quickly learn the promises on the packaging were too good to be true. Others may even learn that the supplements they bought are dangerous for their health. The following are some example of weight loss pills and their potential side effects:

• Brazilian Diet Pills – These supplements were sold under names like Emagrace Sim and Herbaslim, however, are made from a dangerous combination of depressants and stimulants like Prozac, Librium, and Fenproporex. These pills can result in extreme changes in personality and mood, as well as hypersensitivity sensory issues.
• Clenbuterol – This can cause heart arrhythmia, hyperthyroidism, extreme blood pressure (low and high), chest pains, headaches, tremors in muscles, nervousness, and gastrointestinal issues.
• DNP – While no longer sold, Dinitrophenol is one of the most dangerous diet pills ever on the market and result in high body temperatures, cataracts, respiratory problems, lesions, and death in at least 60 users.
• Ephedrine – While ephedrine is no longer marketed as a weight loss drug as ordered by the FDA, many people still seek it for this purpose. It can cause increased risk of stroke or heart attack, arrhythmia, anxiety, dizziness, tremors, insomnia, and nausea.
• Fen-phen – A combination of Fenfluramine and Phentermine, Fen-phen caused a variety of severe pulmonary and cardiac problems.
• Meridia – The sibutramine in Meridia caused increased blood pressure and heart rate, depression, headaches, dizziness, insomnia, and gastrointestinal issues.
• Japanese “Rapid Weight Loss” Pills – These pills imported from Japan contain potential carcinogens and sibutramine, which is the dangerous ingredient in Meridia and can cause the side effects listed above.
• Qnexa – This drug combines other drugs used to quit smoking and to treat addiction to opiates. The side effects may include mood changes, metabolism issues, and damage to your heart valves.

When it comes to weight loss, if you are looking for safe supplements to boost your progress through diet and exercise, you should first consult with a trusted pharmacist who can recommend safe products. We currently offer several weight loss aides such as Crave Control and others to help battle the bulge.

Call 856-323-8723 or stop by today for more information.

At Kress Specialty Apothecary, we want our patients to be healthy and happy and we seek to find the best solutions for weight loss or any other desired results. Please stop in today or call us to discuss your needs with our pharmacists!

If you are a parent, you have probably been through the ageless ritual of trying to get your children to take their medication. As adults, we understand that swallowing pills or doing other things that may be unpleasant may be a part of life in order to obtain some sort of benefit or relief. Children, on the other hand, often do not. Pills can be hard for them to swallow, and many commercially available flavored syrups do a poor job of masking the unpleasant and bitter taste of many medications.

Making Medicine Look Like Candy

Fortunately for parents who are struggling to get their children to take their important medications, a compounding pharmacist can be of assistance. Compounding is the process of taking medications and customizing them into various forms to meet the individualized needs of patients. We can work with your child’s pediatrician to compound the medication into a form that your child will love to take. Some examples of the alternative forms of medications we can create in order to help your child stay or get healthy include:

• Lollipops
• Gummies
• Oral suspensions
• Effervescent tablets

While making medication easier for children to take is a significant benefit of compounding, there are other benefits that are just as important. Many children require very specific doses of their medication because of their smaller bodies, and the dosage that they need may not be commercially available. Cutting pills into pieces often results in an inaccurate dosage, which, at best, will result in your child getting too much or too little of his or her medication. In some cases, it may even be dangerous. A compounding pharmacy can create products that provide your child with the exact dosage he or she needs in a form that is easy to ingest. Another significant benefit of having your medications compounded is that your pharmacist can create products that are free from potential allergens such as dyes, lactose, gelatin, or alcohol, ensuring that your child does not have an adverse reaction to his or her medication.

Call 856-323-8723 or stop by today for more information.

At Kress Specialty Apothecary, we are qualified to compound a wide variety of medications to meet our patient’s individual needs. In addition to working with people, we also are available to compound medications for pets. To learn more about our services, call us today at 856-323-8723 or stop by our location in Barrington, NJ.

Many people are concerned about harmful chemicals and additives in their food and household products, so they turn to the organic section of their grocer. Not only can organic products be healthier but also better for the environment and more trustworthy around your children. One product for which you may not consider an organic option is skin care. Many people buy mainstream skin care products and makeup without realizing the amount of potentially harmful chemicals they are putting directly on their delicate skin. Because your skin is your first impression when people see you, you want to ensure you have the healthiest skin possible.

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does regulate personal care products and cosmetics, the agency has approved many products with a variety of chemicals. Some chemicals that may be in your skin care products include the following:

• Nitrosamines
• Triclosan or triclocarban
• Formaldehyde
• Cyclomethicone
• Alcohol isopropyl (SD-40)
• Mercury
• Dioxane
• Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
• DEA (Diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine) & TEA (Triethanolamine)
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Parabens
• Color additives
• Fragrances

Many of the above chemicals can dry out or irritate your skin instead of giving you the fresh, youthful glow you want. In addition, your body can absorb toxins through your skin and they may affect your overall health.

If you want your skin to be as healthy as possible, read labels carefully and avoid any products with potentially harmful chemicals. To be especially careful and avoid the constant reading of labels, you could select certified organic skin care and cosmetic products. However, many organic skin care products may still use synthetic preservatives, emollients, emulsifiers, humectants, and/or surfactants that can still damage the skin or threaten your health. For this reason, you want to make sure your products are all-natural, even if they have an organic label. If you are looking for effective and safe skin care products, you should consider discussing your needs with a specialty apothecary who understands the risks associated with certain products and can help you avoid them.

Call 856-323-8723 or stop by for more information today

Our NJ specialty pharmacy has many options for organic skin care, as well as products to make you happy and proud of your appearance and overall health. We can make recommendations based on your individual skin care needs and can even design special formulas for you if necessary. Please call Kress Specialty Apothecary or stop into our store today for more information about our products and services.