If you’re tired of unnecessary side effects, allergic reactions to ingredients, dosages that aren’t quite right, or delivery methods that aren’t optimal, we can create a better experience for you by personalizing thousands of combinations of medications and routes.
Personalized Prescribing
Sometimes a patient needs to take a medication, but the dosage they need of that medication is not commercially available at a standard pharmacy. Surprisingly, this is not uncommon. About 75% of people have genetic variations that affect how their body responds to medications. Two seemingly similar individuals with the same condition taking the same dosage of the same medication may have entirely different responses. For one person, it may work effectively as prescribed, while someone else may experience an adverse reaction or have no response whatsoever.
Pain Management
Chronic pain can have a cascade of effects on patients’ lives. Even though the condition may be controlled, the underlying pain a person experiences can prevent them from carrying out daily activities and enjoying their lives to the fullest. Our compound pharmacists will be able to work with the prescribing physician to create a personalized medication that may include several different types of pain relievers at varying dosages to best target the pain for that individual.
Pain medications available for compounding include:
- Corticosteroids like hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, and triamcinolone
- Muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine and baclofen
- Nerve pain modifiers like gabapentin, ketamine, amitriptyline, and clonidine
- NSAIDs like ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and diclofenac
- Opiates like morphine, hydromorphone, and oxycodone
- Topical anesthetics like lidocaine, benzocaine, and tetracaine
Careful adjustment and compounding by pharmacists at Care Plus Pharmacy will ensure the best possible administration and dosage for individual pain management needs.
Dermatology
While dermatological issues can sometimes be interpreted as strictly aesthetic, we understand the importance of an effective and quickly-working treatment to get patients back to feeling confident and comfortable. Conditions such as acne, chemical peels, rashes, pruritus, lice, infections, pigmentation abnormalities, warts, scarring, and rosacea are just a few of the conditions our compound pharmacists can help with.
Many people worry about the myriad of troubles caused by sun damage. From early signs of aging to skin cancer, the sun can wreak havoc on patients’ skin. While sunscreen can certainly reduce the unwanted effects of summertime sunbathing, it is not without its issues. Some states have begun banning the use of sunscreen that isn’t reef-safe, and all the chemicals involved in making sunscreen as effective as it is can leach into your bloodstream. Sunscreen is certainly not a one-size-fits-all product. Melatonin has been shown to have protective qualities against UV radiation, which is the main cause of skin cancer. A topical cream of 0.1% melatonin solution applied 15 minutes before sun exposure works as an antioxidant in addition to regulating gene expression and stabilizing DNA, thus effectively protecting skin at a cellular level.
Additional examples of ingredients Care Plus Pharmacy can include in medications for dermatological use are:
- Alpha lipoic acid
- Azelaic acid
- Coal tar
- Collagenase
- Fluconazole
- Hydroquinone
- Ibuprofen
- Ivermectin
- Minoxidil
- Niacinamide
- Tamoxifen
- Tea tree oil
- Tretinoin
- Triamcinolone
- Zinc
Hair Loss
Hair loss (alopecia) can greatly impact a person’s self-image and confidence and affects as many as 50 million people in the United States. Hair loss is different in men and women and thus requires different treatment approaches. It is typically caused by hormonal imbalances, but can also be caused by other medical conditions such as thyroid problems, physical trauma, stress, and certain medications.
- Azelaic acid
- Biotin
- Estradiol
- Finasteride
- Fluocinonide
- Ketoconazole
- Latanoprost
- Minoxidil
- Niacinamide
- Progesterone
- Saw palmetto
- Tretinoin
- Zinc sulfate
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is commonly known as “male pattern baldness” and is a result of hormone imbalances. This type of hair loss is responsible for approximately 95% of all male alopecia cases. Hair loss is more common in men than women, and over 65% of men over 35 experience some form of balding. By age 50, that number grows to approximately 85% of the male population. While this may seem like a problem related to aging, nearly 25% of men who suffer from hair loss begin before they are 21.
Female pattern hair loss is also a form of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) but differs in that the thinning occurs more diffusely across the scalp rather than in one particular area. While AGA is not as common in women, it still affects over 30% of the female population at some point in their lives. In postmenopausal women, that number climbs to over 65%. Women are also generally more affected by their hair loss because it is considered less socially acceptable. For female pattern hair loss, doctors use the Ludwig Classification to describe the severity.
- Type I – minimal thinning that can be camouflaged by styling the hair
- Type II – moderate thinning wherein hair volume is decreased, and part becomes visibly wider
- Type III – significant, diffuse thinning and the scalp becomes easily visible
No matter the cause or stage of a patient’s thinning hair, Care Plus Pharmacy can help create a personalized medication to slow or stop hair loss, and in some cases even help the patient regrow their hair.
Sports Medicine
Athletes come in all different shapes and sizes, which is why a compounding pharmacy can be a great benefit to their healing and care when injured. Whether it’s a little league child, leisure athlete, or a professional ballplayer, Care Plus Pharmacy can work with coaches, trainers, and physicians to create a personalized treatment to get them back in the game as quickly as practicable.
For example, topical medications, including pain relievers like ketoprofen are more effective at treating pain and inflammation at the source versus taking ketoprofen by mouth. Additionally, analgesics to be taken orally often have a mild sedative effect or can cause gastrointestinal upset, which is counterproductive for athletes. Applying such medications topically can avoid this unwanted side effect, and is something only a compound pharmacy can do.
In addition to common sports injuries, we can create customized solutions to the following sports-related conditions:
- Athlete’s foot – treated with topical antifungals
- Calluses – treated with compounded lotions
- Carpal tunnel – treated with transdermal gels
- Cramps – treated with topical gels and/or customized electrolyte solutions
- Dehydration – treated with personalized electrolyte solutions
- Excessive perspiration – treated with customized deodorants and gels
- Dry skin – treated with customized moisturizing creams
- Hemorrhoids – treated with suppositories or topical creams
- Nutrition – personalized vitamin and mineral supplements
- Wounds – treated with compounded healing gels and ointments
Wound Care
Skin is the biggest organ of the body, and also the most exposed — responsible for protecting the rest of what lies underneath. Open wounds and sores can lead to much bigger problems than localized pain or irritation. They can become doors to the rest of the body, allowing bacteria, viruses, and other unwanted intruders to enter the bloodstream where they wreak havoc.
An example of this is the “polyox bandage,” which comes as a powder and can be compounded to include any necessary medication to aid in the healing process. The powder is puffed onto the wound in layers, and if not already moist, a small amount of water is added in between the application of the powder layers. This creates a flexible, rubber-like barrier which protects the wound from excess moisture and germs that would inhibit healing.
Some wounds, such as ulcerated tumors, pressure ulcers, and fungating tumors might emit an unpleasant odor during the healing process. This can be embarrassing for the patient and make them self-conscious. Application of topical metronidazole has been shown to eliminate such odors, thereby creating a more comfortable healing process.
Other medications we can compound for wound-healing include:
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Caffeine
- Cholestyramine
- EGCG (green tea polyphenols)
- Meadowsweet extract
- Mupirocin
- Pentoxifylline
- Phenytoin
- Polyethylene glycol
- Pracaxi oil
- Sildenafil
- Sucralfate
- Topical insulin
- Tranilast
- Urea paste
Vitamins
It is essential to provide your body with the proper vitamins needed for it to grow and function normally. The essential vitamins your body needs are:
- Vitamin A
- B Vitamins such as vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, folate, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, and pantothenic acid
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
Private Consultations
Here at Care Plus Pharmacy, we know that you may have questions about your medications and supplements, and we know how important your privacy is when it comes to your healthcare. For your convenience, we are pleased to offer private consultations to further customize your experience and help you feel comfortable with your treatment.
Topical Anesthetics
Here at Care Plus Pharmacy, we are also able to compound analgesic gels to help reduce pain and bleeding. Epinephrine, or adrenaline, is used primarily to stop bleeding associated with injuries. Studies have shown that gels containing lidocaine, adrenaline, and tetracaine are superior to those containing cocaine for topical use. We strive to prepare the most effective, safe product to meet each patient’s needs.
Diabetes
Diabetes can be a demanding, exhausting disease. At Care Plus Pharmacy, our goal is to help customize your treatment to fit your individual needs and preferences. We also offer free counseling to help you manage your medication, become as comfortable as possible with its administration, and to answer any questions you may have.