| By :
Stephen Daniels
The need for pain management is responsible for the production of a substantial proportion of all drugs manufactured in the world. With an aging population, and the increase in long-term health issues throughout the world, it appears that the need for more pain therapy will continue to increase over time. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly apparent that a one-size-fits-all approach to medication simply does not work for all patients. Clinically trained pharmacists who specialize in the pain management field are re-emerging as the need for their knowledge rises. While it is true that, for most conditions, mass-produced medications are effective, chronic pain sufferers may find little relief from them. Unpleasant and potentially-harmful side effects can impair relief and even make the patient's condition worse. And human bodies tend to adapt to the constant stream of medication entering it, often making it necessary to increases dosages to compensate. As an alternative, compounded medication (prescriptions that are prepared for individuals rather than for mass usage) offer a customized approach to pain relief. Compounding is not a new method. It wasn't until the 1950s that compounding ceased to be the standard pharmaceutical approach to medicating individuals. At that time, mass production became the preferred method for the creation of almost all medications as it was more cost effective, and these medicines had a longer shelf life. The tide is shifting once again towards compounding, especially as the need for effective treatments with reduced side effects grows among chronic pain sufferers and a public that is demanding fresher ingredients with fewer fillers and stabilizers. Compounding essentially means a customized formulation of ingredients to suit a patient's unique needs. Physicians write prescriptions based on a patient's specific body type, medical history and needs, and a trained apothecary will prepare the prescription according to the doctors specifications. There are many reasons why those in need of medication may wish to choose compounded pharmaceutical products including: - Sensitivity to ingredients like preservatives or dyes - Inability to handle the high strength of some medications - Ability to receive discontinued or otherwise difficult to obtain ingredients - Elimination of allergic or side effect-causing ingredients - Ability to create customized delivery of the pain fighting drugs Compounding pharmacies are able to custom make medications for children as well as adults. Children often refuse to take medication because of its taste, delivery method or both. Tastier flavors can be easily incorporated into the compounds, and medications can be made in other forms like lollipops or lozenges. Suppositories, sublingual troches and transdermal gels are other possible delivery methods. The return to customization of prescriptions by compounding pharmacies has been a boon for pain management. Almost all medications that are offered commercially are able to be prepared by specialty pharmacists, and of course, these specialists can offer much that drug store pharmacists are not able to obtain for the discriminating consumer. For the reduction of discomfort in terms of more suitable doses, easier delivery methods and the elimination of harmful or unnecessary ingredients, compounding pharmacies help those suffering from chronic pain better cope with their condition.
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