What type of doctors can write a prescription for compounded medications?

A compounded medication is a drug that is currently not being made by a pharmaceutical company and therefore doesn’t have a brand name like other prescriptions you would normally fill at a pharmacy. These medications are not commercially available, hence the need for a compounding pharmacy to combine ingredients to create a medication that is customized for your specific needs. Medications--depending on the type--can be compounded into creams, liquids, capsules, troches, ointments, drops, suppositories, gels, and more. (Read more about reasons why a patient may need a compounded medication here.)

Compounded medications can only be filled with a written prescription from your physician.
Any doctor can write a prescription for a compounded medication, but the majority of these prescriptions usually come from:

• Endocrinologists (hormone replacement therapy, endocrine disorders)
• Dermatologists (skin)
• Veterinarians (pets)
• Pain specialists
• Dentists (teeth)
• Podiatrists (feet)
• Gastroenterologists (digestive system)
• Pediatricians (children)

There are a few local doctors we recommend in some of these fields - click here to see a few! In addition, Central Compounding Pharmacy currently works with many veterinary clinics in the Santa Monica and West Los Angeles area. Please stop in our pharmacy or call us at (310) 395-3294 if you would like any additional doctor recommendations!

What is a Troche?

With the rising popularity of Hormone Replacement Therapy in recent years, troches are becoming an important and convenient method of administering many different medications. One of the most popular uses for troches are natural hormone replacement therapies.

But what exactly is a troche and what are the benefits? 

What is a troche?

A troche is a small lozenge designed to dissolve between a person’s cheek and gum over a period of time; typically 30 minutes. As the troche dissolves in the patient’s mouth, the medication is absorbed through the oral mucosa and gradually  absorbs into the blood stream. Troches are commonly used to administer bioidentical hormones in a patient, and can be flavored to mask bitterness, if needed. Some of our most popular flavors are tangerine, vanilla, and peppermint.

What are some reasons a patient would benefit from using troches?

Better absorption
When used in hormone replacement therapy, the hormones in a slowly dissolving troche are absorbed more gradually into the blood stream, resulting in physiologically natural hormone blood levels.

Problems swallowing pills
For individuals who have difficulty swallowing pills or capsules, compounding medication into a troche is an excellent alternative to receiving your medication orally.

Difficulty with creams
Since skin types can have extreme variations in thickness, water content, and fat content, the absorption of medicated creams and lotions through a person’s skin can be very unpredictable, especially at menopause. Placing medication into a troche is a superb alternate option.

Alternative to suppositories
Vaginal suppositories can be an effective option for medication delivery in hormone replacement, especially when the hormone is meant to be exposed directly to the tissue of the vaginal wall,  but there is little convenience to utilizing these over medicated troches when the goal end result is higher levels of hormones throughout the body. Some downsides to using vaginal suppositories include exposure to a partner during intercourse, lost medication from leaking, and lack of higher dosages.
 

Due to the many advantages in convenience, effectiveness, and consistency, we recommend troches as an alternative delivery system for hormone replacement therapy for both women and men.

For additional information about troches, please give us a call or stop in the pharmacy and talk to one of our highly trained compounding pharmacists!

7 Reasons Why a Patient May Need a Compounded Medication

A compounded medication is a drug that is currently not being made by a pharmaceutical company and therefore doesn’t have a brand name like other prescriptions you would normally fill at a pharmacy. They are not commercially available, hence the need for a compounding pharmacy to combine ingredients to create a medication that is customized for your specific needs.

Compounding offers numerous advantages in medication compliance. For instance, the dosage can be more carefully controlled and can even be adjusted during the course of treatment. We can eliminate any unwanted components that may cause side effects or are unnecessary fillers and additives.

There are many reasons a patient may need a compounded medication. Here are seven examples:

1. When an individual is allergic or sensitive to commercial products that contain dye, sugar, alcohol or lactose, we can solve the problem by compounding a customized dosage form which contains the needed medication but not the problem-causing additive.
    
2. If a child or adult has trouble swallowing pills, the medication may be put into a liquid that can be taken by mouth, or could even be placed into a transdermal gel that can be rubbed into and absorbed by the skin.
    
3. If a patient needs a reduced strength of medication or a special dosage that is currently unavailable commercially, we may be able to compound a custom medication for their individual requirements.
    
4. For patients who must take a large number of medications every day, we sometimes are able to prepare special compounds containing more than one medication to simplify a confusing dosage schedule and reduce the potential for medication errors.
    
5. For children who have difficulty taking prescriptions that have an unpleasant taste, we have a variety of flavors we could add to the medication and/or put the medication into a liquid that can be easily administered.
    
6. If you have problems giving medicine to your pets, we can help by compounding the drug into a form and flavor that the animal will devour! Cats LOVE our “triple-fish” flavor!
    
7. For our vegetarian customers, we also offer non-gelatin capsules… just ask for “Veggie Caps”!

Only a few select pharmacies have the equipment and highly trained staff needed to compound medications. Compounding requires specialized equipment, filtered ventilation,  bulk chemicals, and specially trained compounding pharmacists and technicians that most traditional pharmacies do not have. Our pharmacists here at Central Compounding Pharmacy in Santa Monica have received extensive training in modern compounding techniques and regularly attend continuing education seminars.

If you are looking to fill your compounded medication, please give us a call at 310-395-3294 or stop in at our compounding pharmacy in Santa Monica!