Types of Pharmacy Compounding

Almost everyone can benefit from customized compounding. The options are virtually endless.

Elderly Patients

• Special higher viscosity formulas for patients who have difficulty swallowing or have dysphagia that prevents them from drinking thin liquids.
• Special formulations to help manage fecal incontinence
• Topical creams applied to affected areas for those who experience adverse side effects of oral pain medications
• Topical creams with different active ingredients in a single form to promote wound healing
• Special forms such as popsicles, oral drops, oral spray and lollipops to treat dry mouth, a condition which can lead to mouth ulcers, tooth decay and indigestion
• Unique dosing, release pattern or ingredient make up that differs from the commercially available medication

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

• Compounded HRT can be adapted specifically to fit each person’s body and hormone levels
• Can be prepared in a variety of strengths and dosage forms, including capsules, topical or vaginal creams, gels, foams, suppositories, sublingual drops, or troches

Pain Management

• Dosage forms such as topical gels and creams or spray foam that can be applied directly to the pain site, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract for patients who experience GI irritation, stomach upset, or systemic adverse effects
• Troche that dissolves under the tongue, nasal spray, or suppository for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills
• Combined formulation of pain medication into a single dose for the convenience of chronic pain sufferers
• Strength variations of pain medication to meet the patient’s unique needs

Pediatric Medicine

• Compounded medication for young patients who resist taking their medicine due to texture, colour or taste
• Colourful, pleasantly flavoured dosage forms dispensed in childproof packaging
• Unique dosage forms for children who have trouble swallowing capsules or tablets such as oral liquids, lollipops, gummy treats, topical gels and effervescent drinks
• Strength and ingredient variations and medications that are sugar-free, gluten-free, casein-free, soy-free, and dye-free for children with allergies or drug intolerances

Veterinary Medicine

• Flavoured medication that turns medicine into a treat
• Special dosage formulation that suits the size of the family pet from Yorkie to Golden Retriever
• Veterinary medication compounds that have been discontinued with tailored strength, dosage form and flavour
• Special compounds for animals with ingredient sensitivities

Anti-Aging and Skin Care

Compounded cosmeceutical creams with pharmaceutical-grade ingredients:

• Diminish lines and wrinkles, skin irritations, rashes, redness, and inflammation
• Soothe dry, cracked skin and improve moisturization
• Treat blemishes and problem areas
• Improve appearance of new and old scars

Endocrinology

Compounded medications can treat the following conditions resulting from disorders in the endocrine system:

• Diabetes
• Growth disorders
• Hormone imbalances
• Thyroid disorders
• Adrenal dysfunction
• Osteoporosis
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Cushing’s Syndrome
• Addison’s Disease
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Dental Compounds

• Medication in gel form rubbed onto the skin for nauseated patients or those who cannot swallow pills
• Topical anesthetic to allow for painless dental injections for patients with needle anxiety
• Flavoured medication to make dental rinses, solutions and bleaching gels taste better
• Unique formulations to treat oral ulcers or gum disease

Podiatry Compounds

Topical compounds can be custom-designed to address a range of foot-related symptoms, including:

• Pain and inflammation
• Athlete’s foot
• Fungal infections
• Heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and heel pain
• Arthritis and other joint conditions
• Complications from diabetes such as pain, swelling, circulatory issues and neuropathy-caused numbness in the lower leg and foot
• Warts, corns and callouses
• Cracked heels and dry, splitting skin
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
• Bunions

Sports Medicine

• Combine multiple drugs into a single dosage form to combat nerve pain
• Customized topical antifungal medications or special preparations to heal blisters or calluses
• Compounded sun block creams, lotions, and lip balms to protect athletes participating in outdoor sports
• Calibrate to deliver the exact amount of medication to a certain need and body type, resulting in more accurate dosing
• Topical creams, transdermal gels or solutions that treat pain at its trigger point and hasten recovery time

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a multi-spectrum disorder with a wide range of symptoms that can manifest very differently in every individual. While medications and nutritional supplements play a huge role in helping to manage some symptoms, the right mix is unique for each patient. This makes customized compounded medications ideal for patients with autism. Working with the parents and healthcare team to determine the precise needs of the child, we can develop medications that:

• Specifically avoid dietary triggers such as gluten, casein, artificial dyes, preservatives, or artificial flavours
• Are designed to counter potential nutritional deficiencies such as specialized mega- or multi-vitamin compounds
• Offer alternative solutions when traditional techniques are not getting results such as Low Dose Naltrexone, Glutathione or Oxytocin
• Available in easy-to-take flavours and forms such as fizzy flavoured drinks or topical ointments that are easier for children with autism to manage

Ear, Nose and Throat

Topical compounds can be custom-designed to address a range of foot-related symptoms, including:

• Pain and inflammation
• Athlete’s foot
• Fungal infections
• Heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and heel pain
• Arthritis and other joint conditions
• Complications from diabetes such as pain, swelling, circulatory issues and neuropathy-caused numbness in the lower leg and foot
• Warts, corns and callouses
• Cracked heels and dry, splitting skin
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
• Bunions

Compounds can include:

• Antimicrobial or antifungal solutions, ointments, rinses, nasal sprays, or oral suspensions
• Pain relief in the form of solutions, gels, suspensions, ointments, and nasal sprays
• Decongestants, antihistamines, and anti-inflammatories as nasal sprays
• Sprays, lollipops, troches, and gargles specifically for pain in the mouth and throat

Sexuality and Libido

While there are many drugs on the market today to address symptoms of sexual dysfunction, many have side effects and the potential for adverse drug interactions. Customized compounding offers an opportunity to have medication developed specifically for a patient’s personal symptoms, stage of life, biochemistry, and other factors.

Customized compounds can treat a wide range of symptoms of sexual dysfunction, including:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Vaginal dryness and irritation
• Low libido in men and women
• Pain during sex
• Hormonal changes
• Stress and insomnia
• Urinary incontinence or discomfort

Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid function is complex and controls many metabolic functions. Treatment of conditions affecting the thyroid and immune system disorders are highly personalized. An off-the-shelf medication is not always the answer. Thyroid conditions can affect:

• Mood
• Weight gain or loss
• Insomnia
• Immune functions
• Cognitive processes
• Digestive regularity
• Cardiovascular health

Customized compounds that are specific to each patient’s individual needs deliver positive outcomes without side effects. We can provide:

• T3 and T4 compounds
• Easily assimilated time-release T3 compounds
• Compounded pharmaceuticals without cornstarch, gluten and lactose

Flavouring

Sometimes, it’s the taste that makes taking one’s medication difficult. But medications don’t have to taste bad. Compounding pharmacists have access to a wide variety of unique flavours and innovative combinations that enhance the taste and colour of a medication, thus making it more appealing to a choosy child or stubborn pet.

We can provide everything from apple-caramel to bubblegum and even chocolate for young patients. Four-legged patients will love beef, cheese, chicken, fish and liver flavours.

Customized Dosing and Dosage Forms

Part of the art of compounding involves custom-preparing medications in unique and innovative dosage forms to ensure patient compliance. Pharmacists can custom-prepare medications in a variety of forms including:

• Capsules
• Oral liquids
• Troches or lollipops
• Topical preparations – creams, lotions, gels, sprays, and stick applicators such as lip balms
• Suppositories
• Nasal sprays

Discontinued and Shortlisted Medications

Health Canada and pharmaceutical companies try to appropriately supply the market with needed medications. However, situations may arise and cause a drug shortage in Canada such as:

• Lack of profitability of a medication for manufacturers (that leads to drug discontinuation)
• An unexpected increase in demand for a specific drug
• A supply problem for an active or key ingredient in a drug
• Temporary problems in the manufacturing process
• Regulatory delays in manufacturing site or health product approvals

When a discontinued or shortlisted medication is not interchangeable with available products in the market, it may be created by your compounding pharmacy to address your medical needs.

Talk to your doctor about compounding if you are having problems with your current medication form, your medication is no longer available, or you or a loved one has special medicinal requirements that can’t be met with commercially available medications.