What is Compounding?
When One Size Does Not Fit All
The “one size fits all” nature of many commercially manufactured drugs does not actually fit all patients’ needs. Compounding, as both an art and science, allows pharmacists to create medications tailored to meet a patient’s specific needs. When the strength, concentration, or dosage an individual desires is not commercially available, they can work with a pharmacist to design a customized medication. Based on the practitioner’s prescription, one or more active ingredients are combined in the exact form a patient requires.
At one time, all prescriptions were compounded. However, with the advent of mass drug manufacturing in the mid 20th century, compounding declined and pharmacists became dispenser of “cookie-cutter” drugs. The art of compounding has experienced a reemergence in recent years due to modern technology, innovation techniques, and research.
Kress Specialty Apothecary is a compounding pharmacy dedicated to providing our patients with high-quality, personalized treatments. As a compounding pharmacy, we will work with you and your practitioner to formulate combinations of pharmaceutical-grade ingredients into various dosage forms. We treat a variety of medical conditions, including pain, pediatric, domestic and exotic pets, sports injuries, dental, and podiatry.
Here are some of the benefits of compounding that Kress can offer you:
- Compounding can make medications easier to use. For patients who have difficulty swallowing pills, medications can be compounded into specific dosage forms such as liquids, creams, lozenges, gels, and suppositories.
- Some medicine has a very unpleasant taste. At Kress Specialty Apothecary, our pharmacists can customize your prescription in the flavor of your choice. If you have young children, or even pets, that refuse to take their medications, we have a variety of flavors that will make them taste better and make medication time easier for your child—and you.
- Commercially manufactured medication may contain ingredients that patients have allergies or sensitivity to, such as gluten, sugar, dyes, lactose, and preservatives. Our pharmacists at Kress Specialty Apothecary can create a personalized formula to provide you with the right treatment you need while leaving out the problematic ingredient.
- Large pharmaceutical manufacturers will often discontinue a medication when not enough patients are taking it. But what happens to the hundreds, or thousands, of patients that still may need it? Compounding allows pharmacists to re-create discontinued drugs, so the people who need it can still have it.
- If you take multiple prescriptions they may be able to be combined into a single dosage form.
Call Kress Specialty Apothecary to find out more information about our pharmacy services in New Jersey 856-323-8723.