6 Things To Know About Compounded Medications

There are many different types of medications, but not all of them are made in the same way. Some medications come pre-packaged for you to take at home. This is called a “pre-made” medication because it’s already been created and packaged to be sold right off the shelf. But there are some medicines that need a little more attention when they’re being prepared for people with certain needs. These “compounded medications” can’t always be found in pharmacies or your local Walgreen’s, they’re typically only found at specialized compounding pharmacies. Compounded meds are made with a pharmacist, not just a doctor, to ensure that each medication is tailored entirely to the needs of the patient. In this post, we’ll go through 6 things to know about compounded medications.

1. They’re safer

Compounded medications are made with a pharmacist for you instead of being mass-produced and packaged without any knowledge of how it will affect your body specifically. According to Procare pharmacy in North York, compound medications are about equipping patients “with the right tools to improve their entire lifestyle”. People who use compounded meds have different needs than the general public, so their medications need to be made in a way that’s safe for their particular concerns. Because the medication was made specifically for you, there’s much less risk of it being dangerous or causing side effects that are worse than the condition you’re being treated for. That is why compounded medications are sometimes recommended to people who have special needs, allergies, or sensitivities.

2. They’re more expensive

For one, compounded medications are usually tailored to treat a specific concern so they’re not something you could find pre-made in the fridge at CVS. It takes time and effort to make each personalised medication, which is why they cost more. Plus, pharmacies need to invest in equipment and training for compounded medications that also contribute to the added cost. This is also why insurance doesn’t typically cover compounded medications, because they’re not mass-produced. We will discuss this in more detail in the point below.

3. They’re not always covered by insurance

Since compounded medications are more costly, they may not always be covered by your insurance. It is important to check with the pharmacist and your insurance company to determine what your costs will be if you’re interested in compounded meds. These types of meds can be more expensive if they may not be covered by insurance plans, especially if your provider doesn’t deem the medication necessary. But depending on your specific needs, compounded medications may be the best and most effective choice for your particular situation.

4. They’re available in many different forms

Because compounded meds are made with you in mind, they can come in just about any form that makes it easy to take your medicine. Liquid forms are popular because it’s easy to mix the correct dose into juice or a smoothie for children and adults alike. Some compounded meds can come in a patch or suppository form so they’re easy to apply directly where you need the medicine most.

5. They’re not one-size-fits-all

You can’t get a compound medication without receiving a consultation with the pharmacist first. Your pharmacist will work with you to determine what your specific needs are and how each medication can be tailored to make it as effective as possible. Since each person’s specific needs are different, that means the medications need to be made differently for each person’s situation. So just because one medication is safe for your neighbor or friend, it doesn’t mean you’ll have the same experience with that med.

6. They’re not always compounded in a pharmacy

More and more hospitals are starting to use compounded medications to meet patients’ needs while they recover from procedures or illnesses. Because compounded meds are typically made to suit a specific need, they’re perfect for giving during certain situations. For example, if you’re allergic to any ingredient in a medication that your doctor wants you to take, a compounding pharmacy could remove the allergen and make a safer version of the same medicine just for you.

Compounded medications are made with a pharmacist for you instead of being mass-produced and packaged without any knowledge of how it will affect your body specifically. People who use compounded meds have different needs than the general public, so their medications need to be made in a way that’s safe for their particular concerns. Because compounded meds are typically made to suit a specific need, they’re perfect for giving during certain situations. For example, if you’re allergic to any ingredient in a medication that your doctor wants you to take, a compounding pharmacy could remove the allergen and make a safer version of the same medicine just for you.