Compounding... Medication Custom Made For You

If a 20 mg dose is available but a 16 mg or 23 mg dose is required, that, too is easily achieved at our pharmacy. We are working diligently with individual physicians to control chronic pain, with hospice groups to alleviate all symptoms of the hospice patient, and with every medical specialty to meet their unique needs. If an animal has a medication problem, we can help with that as well.

These are some of the unique devices for dispensing compounded medications:

a) Long stem metered dose sprayer. Excellent for topical use or to reach areas such as the back of the throat.
b) A metered nasal spray can be calibrated to deliver the exact amount of medication that is prescribed.
c) Pump spray
d) Puffer: To apply powders for topical or difficult to reach areas.

Suppositories continue to be a necessary choice as an alternative dosage form.
The unique "rectal rocket" may allow the prescriber an alternative to simultaneously treat internal and external hemorrhoid conditions. Should a patient require multiple medications, it may be possible to combine them into a single dosage form to decrease the number of dosages needed and improve compliance.

Lip balms or applicators are a practical and convenient dosage form that may be used when an alternative to a topically applied product is required. A smaller amount of active ingredient(s) may be required when medication is applied topically at the affected site. One example we've had success with is a nicotine stick for smoking cessation.

Encapsulation machines can be used to precisely fill capsules of various sizes with the exact dosage, which is needed. Many color combinations are available to eliminate patient confusion with regard to "look-alike" medications. Should the patient require, multiple medications can be combined into a single capsule. Modified-release formulations may be used to improve compliance.

Sterile injectables can be compounded to contain the precise concentration and combination of compatible medications for each individual patient's needs. Sterile solutions for infusion pumps can also be compounded.

Transdermal medication delivery may be accomplished by various methods including gels, creams, suppositories and buccal troches.

Specially prepared gels which penetrate the skin can be unit-dosed, and covered with a patch to slow the release of the medication.   Our creams, ointments and gels can be dispensed in tubes for patient convenience.

Troches incorporate the desired medication into a base that forms a type of lozenge. This lozenge can then be held in place between the cheek and gum where it delivers the active ingredient across the oral mucosa as the troche dissolves. A troche allows for medication to be absorbed into the bloodstream directly from the oral mucosa.

Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy
It has been calculated that in the United States in the year 2000 alone, an estimated 20 million women will become menopausal.  The routine hormone replacement prescriptions given today consist of a synthetic progesterone (medroxyprogesterone acetate) and a combination of horse estrogens (Premarin).

This approach often fails to take into account women's individualities and differences in chemistry, background, and lifestyle.  Women are instead offered a standard, one-size fits all therapy for a complex situation involving both physical and emotional symptoms.

Many doctors, however, are still unaware of the natural hormones.  Pharmaceutical companies find it difficult to make them commercially available since the substances themselves cannot be patented.  New research is emerging though and an estimated 2 million women are currently benefiting from natural, plant-derived estrogens and progesterone.

Myers Drug has been working with women and their physicians to compound natural hormones specific for each individual since 1997.  It is an honor and a challenge as a pharmacist to be a resource that enables many women to successfully navigate this complex aspect of life.  Many unique formulations and dosage forms can be compounded to meet the specific needs of each woman.

Flavoring
Remember watching Mary Poppins pour out medicine in a strawberry, lime cordial, and rum punch flavors? The children were amazed and gladly took their dose with a smile.  It's taken a number of years for pharmacies to catch on but now Myers Drug customers can choose to have their medication flavored in any one of over 100 flavors.  For many customers this service has made a world of difference.   Forget all the fighting, pleading, bribing, and playing games to get your children to take their medication.  Now they ask for it. That's right!  Now they remind you when it is time for their dose of medication.  Customers can choose and taste test any flavor right in the pharmacy before taking the medicine home.  For some medicines they also get a chart to check off each dose they take and if they complete the chart (and their medicine) they can bring it back in for a toy.  

"I knew we were on to something when I had to give my two-year old son Prelone," says pharmacist Clint Daniel.  "It is a notoriously bitter medication but he was asking for his 'chocolate medicine' every night."  It's not a service just for children...many adults have had their antacids, cough syrups, and other liquid medications flavored to better suit their tastes.  So give the pharmacists at Myers Drug a call to get a spoonful of flavor and make your medicine go down!

CUSTOM FLAVORING Strawberry Sour Apple Root Beer Peach Creme Watermelon Blueberry Banana Grape Tropical Punch Vanilla Chocolate Lemon-Lime Bubble Gum Pineapple Cherry Apricot Coffee Hawaiian Coconut Tutti Frutti Caribbean Fruit Blackberry Orange Green Dragon Mint Cinnamon