There are several reasons why prescribers and pharmacists provide compounded medications for patients. The primary reason for compounding is to avoid patient non-compliance, which means the patient is either unable or unwilling to use the medication as directed. Many patients are allergic to preservatives or dyes, or require a dosage that is different from the standard drug strengths.
With a physcian's consent, a compounding pharmacist can:
- Adjust the strength of a medication
- Avoid unwanted ingredients, such as dyes, preservative, lactose, gluten, or sugar.
- Add flavor to make the medication more palatable
- Prepare medications using unique delivery systems. For patients who find it difficult to swallow a capsule, a compounding pharmacist may prepare the drug as a flavored liquid suspension instead. Other medication forms include topical gels or creams that can be absorbed through the skin, suppositories, sublingual troches, or even lollipops.
Will my insurance pay for compounding?
We do bill your insurance for your compounded medications and often, but not always compounded prescriptions are covered. If your prescription is not covered by your insurance we will inform you before your compound is made so that you can decide whether you want to proceed or not. Even when insurance does not pay, compounded prescriptions are still affordable.
Does my doctor know about compounding?
With the resurugence of compounding your doctor is likely to know about this service. Be sure to ask your doctor about compounding. If your doctor has questions about compounding have he or she to call one of our compounding experts.
