When you think about going to a pharmacy, you probably think of it as a very rigid process. As a patient, you receive a prescription from your doctor, you bring it to the pharmacy and you wait until the pharmacy fulfills it. Everyone gets the same medication, however, many of them have unwanted or unpleasant side effects. These side effects may have more negative effects on different people.

There is another type of pharmacy available that you probably haven’t heard of. It is called a compound pharmacy. Here, patients have more options for customization that might save them from the headache (literally) of taking conventional medication at a conventional pharmacy. Here are some benefits of why choosing a compound pharmacy might be the right choice for your needs.

What is a Compounding Pharmacy?

Compounding pharmacies are different from conventional pharmacies in that they specialize in compounding medications. This means they are able to customize medications to suit your needs. So, instead of taking generic medication with specific dosages or ingredients, compound pharmacists are able to change the dose or remove specific ingredients a patient might be allergic to or react badly to.

Allergies or Intolerances

Many drugs contain ingredients that cause allergic reactions, intolerances or simply bad reactions with your body. This can include gluten, lactose or dyes. Mass-manufactured medications for consumers are used to treat everyone with one formula, but it doesn’t always work perfectly. When you go to a traditional pharmacy, you don’t really have a choice besides getting a different prescription. At a compound pharmacy they can switch out ingredients while still meeting the needs of the patient.

Adjustable Dosages

Just like ingredients, generic levels of dosage may be too little or too high to work for you. Again, the solution is compound medications formulated by expert pharmacists. If the dosage of conventional medications isn’t right for you, you may experience negative side effects. At a compound pharmacy, the pharmacist will take a look at your medical history, your prescription, your current health and side effects you are experiencing. After analyzing all of this, they will make you a customized medication that is the correct dosage for you and does not cause unwanted side effects.

Forms of Medication

The most common form generic medications come in is usually tablets or capsules. But what if you have issues ingesting or swallowing pills? Compound pharmacies are able to provide medications in more unconventional forms such as liquid, powder, creams or ointments. These are much easier to consume for certain people, especially children, and even pets.

While conventional pharmacies are great and convenient for many people, compound pharmacies offer a lot more benefits to patients who have trouble with generic medications. Compound pharmacies are able to meet a patient’s unique needs in a safe and effective manner. Speak to a pharmacist at Allwell Pharmacy if you have any questions about compound medications and if they might be right for you.