Compounding Services at Shorewell Pharmacy Group

Every patient has a unique set of needs, and their medications should fit those. Your lifestyle, specific combination of medications, and personal preferences are al factors in your ability to benefit from the medications which you are prescribed.

Shorwell Pharmacy uses compounding as one of many tools which we use to ensure that your medications are carefully adapted to you. Compounding allows Shorewell pharmacist to take your original script and create a specific medication that alters that can alter the strength, change the form of the medication, or ingredient that might be used in the original manufacturer’s formula.

Compounded medications are often used when a commercially available product is unavailable or when a patient requires a different strength, form, or ingredient than what is offered by a manufacturer.

Rather than replacing standard medications, compounding provides an additional option to help patients receive treatment that works best for their circumstances.

Who Would Benefit from Compound Medications?

Compounded medications are beneficial for adults at every stage of life, kids, and even your family pet. Tablets and pills are not for everyone, and it only takes a quick conversation with yoru pharmacist to find out if that hard-to-take medication can be altered into a liquid form. It’s not a secret that off-the-shelf cough medicine’s don’t taste great, but asking your pharmacist about custom flavors can be a quick fix to a difficult to swallow problem. Read on to learn more about other situations which benefit from compounding.

Allergies or Sensitivities

Some patients are sensitive to ingredients commonly found in manufactured medications, such as dyes, preservatives, gluten, lactose, or other inactive ingredients. A compounded medication may allow those ingredients to be removed while maintaining the prescribed treatment.

Different Dosage Requirements

Not every patient requires a standard dose. Children, older adults, and patients with certain medical conditions may need a customized strength that is not commercially available. Compounding can help create the exact dose prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Pills and Tablets Are Not for Everyone

Swallowing medications can be difficult, not always pleasant. For some, age, size of the medication or personal preference become a factor that affects their ability to take medications as prescribed. Shorewell is here to help and remove that roadblock that may stand in between you and your optimal wellness plan.

Medication Shortages

Drug shortages can occasionally affect access to important medications. When appropriate and permitted by regulations, compounding may help provide an alternative option when commercially manufactured products are unavailable.

Specialized Treatments

Certain medications are not mass-produced because they are needed by relatively small groups of patients. Compounding can help make these treatments available when a healthcare provider determines they are necessary.

How Are Compounded Medications Made?

Compounded medications are prepared by pharmacists using pharmaceutical ingredients and specialized equipment.

The process requires precise calculations, strict quality controls, and adherence to professional standards. Depending on the prescription, the pharmacist may adjust the strength, dosage form, flavour, or ingredients while ensuring the medication is prepared according to the prescriber’s instructions.

Compounding pharmacies follow rigorous procedures designed to promote accuracy, consistency, and patient safety.

Are Compounded Medications Safe?

Patient safety is always the highest priority.

Compounded medications are prepared for individual patients based on a valid prescription. Reputable compounding pharmacies follow established standards, maintain detailed documentation, and use quality ingredients sourced from approved suppliers.

It is important to understand that compounded medications are different from commercially manufactured medications. While manufacturers produce large quantities of identical products, compounded medications are prepared specifically for individual patient needs.

Patients should always work with licensed healthcare providers and accredited pharmacies when considering compounded medications.

Questions to Ask About Compounding

If you are considering a compounded medication, it may be helpful to ask:

Why is a compounded medication being recommended?
Are commercial alternatives available?
What benefits does the compounded version provide?
How should the medication be stored?
Are there any special instructions for use?
What side effects should I watch for?

Your pharmacist can help answer these questions and explain how the medication should be used safely and effectively.

Is Compounding Right for You?

Compounding is not necessary for every patient. In many cases, commercially available medications remain the best option.

However, when a standard medication does not meet a patient’s specific needs, compounding can provide a personalized solution. Whether the goal is to adjust a dosage, remove an allergen, improve ease of administration, or address another unique requirement, compounding allows pharmacists to work closely with healthcare providers to support individualized care.