HOSPICE

Hospice patients are special patients with special needs. At Professional Compounding Center of California understand those needs and we work closely with hospice organizations to help manage patient’s symptoms through custom medications. Sometimes simply reducing the number of medications a patient is taking by combining several medications into one easy-to-take dosage form like a suspension, suppository, or transdermal cream can greatly affect the quality of the patient’s life. Or, if the patient has uncontrollable pain, sometimes a combination of different pain medications makes all the difference in controlling that pain.

Other ways compounded medications may help hospice patients:

Nausea & Vomiting
Suppositories, troches, suspensions, transdermal gels

Excess Salivation
Oral rinses, capsules, liquids

Pain
Transdermal gels, suppositories, sustained-release capsules, troches, topical gels, injectables

Neuropathic Pain
Transdermal gels

Dyspnea
Inhalations

Seizures
Suppositories, rectal gels, transdermal gels

Dry Mouth
Saliva substitute gels and liquids, saliva stimulant troches, sprays, capsules

Thrush
Lollipops, troches, oral rinses, topical bases

Constipation
Suppositories

 
 

FIBROMAYALIA

Coming Soon

 
 

HEMORRHOIDS

Coming Soon

 
 

MIGRAINES

Coming Soon

 
 

PODIATRY

Podiatrists and other health care professionals encounter numerous problems that may be helped with compounded medications.

We commonly prepare unique formulations that prescribers develop to meet specific needs of their patient population, or “tried and true” formulas acquired during professional training. Penetrant enhancers can be added to improve the extent of absorption of topically applied medications. Numerous compatible medications can be combined into a single dosage form for ease of administration. Also, a synergistic effect can be achieved when certain medications are used concomitantly.

 
 

SPORTS MEDICINE

Athletes, coaches, trainers, team physicians, physical therapists, and even the “weekend warrior” are faced with problems including inflammation and muscle spasms.At Professional Compounding Center of California we work together with these individuals and other health care professionals to customize medications which meet specific needs. Our compounding specialists can help to solve medication problems using customized preparations that contain the most appropriate ingredients in the best vehicle to most efficiently provide the needed drug to the affected area. Please contact our compounding pharmacist for more information.

 
 

FEMALE SEXUAL AROUSAL

The introduction of Viagra® was the beginning of a sexual revolution. Although the emphasis of the coverage has been on male sexual dysfunction, the problem appears to be more prevalent in women. The National Health and Societal Life Survey interviewed over 3,000 American men and women aged 18 to 59. Results revealed that 31% of men and 43% of women experienced some degree of sexual dysfunction. Low sexual desire was experienced by 22% of women, difficulties with arousal and/or lubrication were reported by 14%, and 7% complained of pain during intercourse.

Normal human sexual response is dependent on a variety of psychological and physiological factors. The female sexual response cycle is usually described in four stages; desire, excitement, orgasm, and resolution. FSD can result as a disorder of any one, or more than one, stage of this cycle. FSD may stem from issues surrounding sex, or be an adverse side effect of medications. Many emotional issues, including motherhood, job demands, and stressful events can interfere with sexual desire. Physical factors can include declining health, aging, depression, medications, or drug or alcohol abuse.

At Professional Compounding Center of California our compounding pharmacists can play a vital role in screening for adverse sexual effects of medications, and advise women about their options for managing this common problem. A variety of nonprescription, prescription, and investigational preparations may be of benefit.

 
 

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

It’s estimated that erectile dysfunction (ED) affects more than 20 million men in the United States alone. The majority of those men are over 40 years old, but it can strike no matter what your age. Sometimes ED is an unfortunate side effect of a disease. For instance, men who have diabetes, decreased testosterone levels, high blood pressure, an enlarged prostate, or some other health conditions may get ED. Often times after prostate surgery men experience ED due to nerve damage or other trauma to the male body. Sometimes smoking, alcohol use, or certain medications can all cause ED. It can even be the result of everyday pressures such as stress, anxiety, or just nervousness. Fortunately, no matter what the cause, Erectile Dysfunction can be successfully treated.

While some men respond well to oral ED treatments such as Viagra or Cialis, others do not repond to these treatments or have uncomfortable or even dangerous side effects to these medications. In those cases custom compounded medications can often be used successfully to treat ED.

The injectable medications Alprostadil (prostaglandin E1), phentolamine, and/or papaverine are used individually or in combination. While an injectable ED medication may sound intimidating or even painful, the truth is, the treatment involves very little discomfort and is an easy and very effective way to treat ED.

Common preparations:

  • Alprostadil (PGE1): Available in a variety of premixed concentrations
  • Triple Mix (aka Tri-Mix): A combination of Alprostadil (PGE1), Phentolamine & Papaverine
  • Super Triple Mix: A highly concentrated version of the standard triple mix injection
  • Bi-Mix: A combination of Phentolamine & Papaverine
  • Papaverine: Typically available in a standard 30 mg/ml concentration
  • Custom combinations and concentrations available
 
 

HORMONES FOR WOMEN

Structural differences exist between human, and synthetic and animal hormones. In order for a replacement hormone to fully replicate the function of hormones which were originally naturally produced and present in the human body, the chemical structure must exactly match the original.  There are significant differences between hormones that are natural to humans and synthetic or horse preparations. Side chains can be added to a naturally-occurring hormone to create a synthetic drug that can be patented by a manufacturer. A patented drug can be profitable to mass produce, and therefore a drug company can afford to fund research as to the medication’s use and effectiveness. However, naturally-occurring substances can not be patented, so scientific studies are less numerous on natural hormones, because medical research is usually funded by drug companies.

Natural hormones include estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), progesterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and pregnenolone. Our compounding specialists work together with patients and prescribers to provide customized hormone replacement therapy that provides the needed hormones in the most appropriate strength and dosage form to meet each woman’s specific needs. Hormone replacement therapy should be initiated carefully after a woman’s medical and family history has been reviewed. Every woman is unique and will respond to therapy in her own way. Close monitoring and medication adjustments are essential.

 
 

HORMONES FOR MEN

Symptoms of testosterone deficiency affect approximately 1 in 200 men and may include:

  • weakness
  • fatigue
  • reduced libido
  • osteoporosis

This condition is commonly referred to as “Andropause” and less often as “Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male” (ADAM).

A man may be considered hypogonadal at any age if total testosterone is less than 200 ng/dl, or bioavailable testosterone is less than 60 ng/dl. Basaria and Dobs of Johns Hopkins University recommend that elderly men with symptoms of hypogonadism and a total testosterone level < 300 ng/dl should be started on hormone replacement.

 
 

ANAL FISSURE

Coming Soon

 
 

HORMONES FOR WOMEN

Coming Soon

 
 

DIABETIC CARE/WOUND CARE

Per a prescription order, a formulation can be compounded to contain the proper combination of active ingredients, in the most appropriate base, to treat a specific type of wound. We customize medications to meet each individual’s specific needs.

For example, the choice of cream, ointment, or gel can be clinically significant. Each time a wound needs to be cleaned, there is the potential for disruption of new tissue growth. Gels, which are more water soluble than creams or ointments, may be preferable for wound use because a gel can be rinsed from the wound by irrigation.  Ointments may contain polyethylene glycol (PEG), which can be absorbed from open wounds and damaged skin. If the wound is quite large and too much PEG is absorbed, it can lead to renal toxicity.

Another useful dosage form is the “polyox bandage” – which can be puffed onto a wound and will adhere even if exudate is present.   A polyox bandage can be compounded to contain the active ingredient(s) of your choice.

 
 

DENTAL COMPOUNDING

We work together with dentists and their patients to solve problems using customized medications.

Upon a prescription order, we can compound:

  • lip balms for viral lesions
  • topical muscle relaxants/analgesics
  • topical anesthetics
  • non-staining antibacterial rinses
  • oral sedation in lollipops and freezer pops
  • lollipops for oral thrush
  • mouth rinses for aphthous ulcers or chemotherapy-induced stomatitis
  • mouth rinse to stop oral bleeding during dental procedures for patients who take anticoagulants
  • dry socket preparations
  • “mucosal bandages” to cover ulcerated, infected, or tender mucosa
  • lozenges that help to prevent gagging
  • and many more unique preparations and novel delivery systems

Medications are manufactured in a limited number of strengths and dosage forms that will satisfy the needs of most patients due to stability concerns, and the cost of stocking and distributing numerous formulations of each drug. Using pharmaceutical grade chemicals and specialized equipment not found in most pharmacies, we can compound medications in doses and dosage forms that are not commercially available. We want to optimize the care of every patient. Just let us know what you need!

 
 

STERILE COMPOUNDING

Coming Soon

 
 

OPTHAMOLOGY

Solving the difficult problems gives us our greatest satisfaction.  For example, how do you accurately dose different drugs, in multiple eye drops, into the eyes of a thrashing two-year-old?  As many ophthalmologists and optometrists know, it’s a little like a WWF free-for-all:  a tag team of staff to pin the shoulders, hold the head, open the eyes and instill the drops – never knowing how many drops really go in.

The answer came in a solution containing all of the drugs, in a metered-dose applicator that is sprayed on the eyelid, documented (and published) to provide the same effect as the medications painstakingly and individually instilled.  Stressed staff, patients and parents are now smiling.  Professional Compounding Center of California has provided this customized agent for very long time, containing as many as four medications in a sterile, stabilized, preserved, and pH adjusted spray.

When a disease or condition of the human body demands the care of a specialist, like an ophthalmologist, sometimes the situation warrants the individualized, innovative and flexible drug therapy of Professional Compounding Center of California.

We provide sterile solutions, ointments, suspensions and injections to greatly increase the breadth and depth of drug therapies for the eye care specialist.  This frees the practitioner from the limited choices of commercial medications and opens a world of therapeutic possibilities.

Preservative-free?  Benzalkonium chloride is found in most commercial preparations at concentrations 100 times the amount shown to be toxic to the corneal endothelium.  Other preservatives can be irritating or cause allergic reactions.  Many medications, or suitable alternatives, can be prepared preservative-free.  Retinologists often prefer a preservative-free intravitreal triamcinolone, which is only available from a sterile-qualified compounding pharmacy.

Higher or lower drug concentration?  Long-term therapy, pediatrics, geriatrics, aggressive therapy, and other circumstances can occur where a higher or lower drug concentration would be preferable to a standard commercial product.

Increased viscosity or a multi-drug product, or both?  This is inherently important since the eye barely holds even one drop in five to ten minutes.  When multiple drops and multiple drugs are prescribed, complexity quickly escalates as drops are instilled too close together, causing a diluting and flushing effect.  By incorporating multiple drugs into a single drop and/or increasing viscosity, tissue contact time and effect are therefore enhanced.  A multi-drug product can reduce administration time and improve patient compliance.

Although an abundance of antibiotics and antifungals are commercially-available, resistance still occurs.  Compounded eye drops like vancomycin, tobramycin, ceftazidime, gentamycin, and cefazolin increase prescribing flexibility for the ophthalmologist.  Amphotericin B, clotrimazole, miconazole, fluconazole and polyhexamethyline biguanide provide additional options.

Commercial drugs are often discontinued based on profit and loss, not safety and effectiveness.  Dexamethasone, hydroxyamphetamine, idoxuridine, vidarabine and other ophthalmic agents have left the market simply because of sales.

When Wyeth discontinued Wydase® in 2000, many doctors turned to sterile-qualified compounding pharmacies for hyaluronidase, and continue to do so today.

Parameters of sterility, tonicity, pH, preservatives, stability, viscosity and packaging are considered with each compound.  In addition, it is best practice for a compounding pharmacy to test every compound for sterility, and have a program in place for testing potency by independent laboratory analysis.

When a condition presents with complexities in drug therapy and a commercial product is less than optimal, a pharmacy specializing in compounded medications may be the answer.  Chances are good it will be “problem solved.”

 
 

HAIR RESTORATOIN

Alopecia, also called hair loss, includes a set of disorders which involve lacking hair where it would normally grow, especially on the head. The most common form of alopecia is a progressive hair thinning condition called androgenic alopecia or “male pattern baldness” that occurs in adult human males and even some primate species. The severity and nature of alopecia can vary greatly; it ranges from male and female pattern alopecia; alopecia areata, which involves the loss of some of the hair from the head; alopecia totalis, which involves the loss of all head hair; and, the most extreme form, alopecia universalis, which involves the loss of all hair from the head and body.

Male pattern baldness is estimated to occur in about 66% of adult males to some varying degree, at some point of their lives. It is characterized by hair receding from the sides of the forehead, commonly known as a “receding hairline” or “receding brow”. An additional patch of lost hair may be present on the very top of the head as well. The trigger for this type of hair loss is DHT, a powerful sex hormone. In those vulnerable to male pattern baldness, DHT initiates a process of follicular miniaturization, in which the hair shaft is slowly narrowed until the hair on the scalp resembles peach fuzz or becomes non-existent. Female pattern baldness, in which the midline parting of the hair appears to broaden, is a less common occurrence. It is believed to result from a decrease in estrogen, a hormone that normally counteracts the balding effect of testosterone. Onset of hair loss can begin as early as the end of puberty, and is mostly a genetic condition.

There are several other kinds of baldness conditions. Traction alopecia is found in people who wear their hair in ponytails or cornrows with the hair being held back with excessive force. Traumas such as chemotherapy, childbirth, major surgeries, poisoning, and sever stress may cause a hair loss condition known as telogen effluvium.

When it comes to treating alopecia, it is far easier to prevent the aging and falling out of follicles than to regrow hair from dormant follicles. Finasteride and minoxidil have shown some success in partially reversing hair loss, but are generally ineffective at treating extreme cases. Topical application of ketoconazole, which is an anti-fungal and potent 5-alpha reductase (a hormone responsible for hair loss) inhibitor, is often used as a supplement to other approaches. Saw Palmetto is an herbal DHT inhibitor that is reported to have fewer side effects than finasteride and dutasteride. Unlike other products, Saw Palmetto does not interfere with the production of necessary hormones. It has also been seen to inhibit the production of both forms of 5-alpha reductase unlike finasteride which only stops one form. One of the more drastic routes is the use of flutamide, in a topical solution. Flutamide blocks the action of androgens, like testosterone, and is potent enough to have a feminizing effect in men, including breast development.

 
 

UROLOGY

Urology is a medical specialty that treats the urinary tract and reproductive system.  It covers many different conditions, including:
  • Benign Prostate Enlargement
  • Bladder Control Problems
  • Bladder Leakage (Incontinence)
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Other Urologic Cancers (Kidney, Bladder and Testicle)
  • Erection Problems
  • Kidney Stones
  • Bladder Infections
  • Prostate Infections

How Can a Compounding Pharmacist Help You?

A compounding pharmacist can work with your physician to develop a dosage form that works best for you

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is clinically defined as the inability to get and keep an erection that is solid enough to achieve satisfactory sex.

Causes of ED:

  • Health Conditions
  • Medicines
  • Injury or surgical nerve damage
  • Hormone problems
  • Aging
  • Andropause
  • Lifestyle
  • Emotions- anger, anxiety, stress, or depression

How to Treat Erectile Dysfunction
  • Control other health problems
  • Use Prescription Medication
    • Medication in a tablet form
    • Small medicine pellet put into urethra
  • Penile Implants

Treating ED by Controlling Other Health Problems

Your Compounding Pharmacist can help by altering your medications.

  • Patient may need to decrease or change some medicines that prove to have sexual side effects
  • Alter form of delivery of medication to better fit the patients specific needs
Treating ED with a Prescription Medication

There are prescriptions available to treat ED such as Viagra®, however, there are specific requirements and side effects to this prescription.

  • User must take prescription on empty stomach
  • One hour waiting period for pill to be absorbed into blood stream
  • Bad aftertaste

Treating ED with a Compounded Prescription Medication

Compounding medication provides an excellent way for men to take the prescription they need in a form and manner that is less time consuming and less complicated.

  • Sublingual dosage forms which act in as little as 15 minutes
  • Penile injections with almost instant effects

Andropause: Male Menopause

What is Andropause?

  • A phenomenon similar to the female menopause that affects men between the ages 40 to 55
  • A significant drop in hormone levels

 Common Side Effects include:

  • Impotence
  • Decreased libido
  • Mood changes
  • Decreased muscle mass and strength
  • Increased upper and central body fat
  • Osteoporosis or weak bones and back pain
  • Sleep disorders

Andropause: How Can Compounding Help?

Hormone replacement through pharmacy compounding can customize a therapy to fit your individual body and hormone levels. The benefit is that the treatment provides better accuracy and a healthier balance for your body.

  • THINK ABOUT IT: The amount of testosterone necessary to help address the symptoms of a 230-lb. patient is very different than the amount required for a 160-lb. patient

Andropause: Unique Dosage Forms

Most popular form of taking testosterone is through injection, but this option isn’t best for everyone.

  • The most effective dosage can be applied directly to the skin
    • Creams
    • Lotions
    • Gels
  • Flavored lozenges which dissolve in the mouth
  • Implantable pellets
 
 

WEIGHT LOSS

Coming Soon

 
 

SLEEP DISORDER

Coming Soon

 
 

OSTEOPOROSIS

Professional Compounding Center of California carries many medications that aid pain caused by arthritis and osteoporosis, as well as preventative care. There is a strong correlation between pre-menopausal bone density and the risk of osteoporosis. Taking calcium even just prior to the onset of menopause has been shown to produce considerable benefit in increasing bone density. We have a wide variety of calcium and bone supporting nutrients. We can customize a specific combination just for your needs. Ask for the PCCC  “Bone Support”. This is a Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite Calcium with Magnesium as well as Vitamin D. This is a calicum that is not only non-dependent of stomach acidity, but does not affect it either. This is very important for those patients with Gastrointestinal issues.

Osteoporosis Risk Factors:

  • Family History of Osteoporosis
  • Gastric or Small-bowel Resection
  • Heavy Alcohol Use
  • Inactivity
  • Low Calcium Intake
  • Postmenopause
  • Premature Menopause
  • Smoking

Please Contact Us for a More Detailed List.

 
 

ONCOLOGY

Coming Soon

 
 

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Coming Soon

 
 

ENDOCRINOLOGY

Adrenal Fatigue
The adrenal glands secrete hormones such as cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone that are essential to health and vitality and significantly affect total body function. After mid-life, the adrenal glands gradually become the major endogenous source of sex hormones in both men and women. Intense or prolonged physical or emotional stress commonly associated with modern lifestyles or chronic illness can lead to Adrenal Fatigue, which is an important contributing factor in health conditions ranging from allergies to obesity.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant adrenal hormones like cortisol help to minimize allergic and negative reactions, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. These hormones closely affect the utilization of carbohydrates and fats, the conversion of fats and proteins into energy, and cardiovascular and gastrointestinal function. Proper adrenal support is essential to complete the hormonal pathway to optimal health, and includes proper nutrition, getting plenty of sleep, regular moderate exercise, stress management, slowing down to regain a proper perspective on life, and replacement of deficient hormones.

Thyroid Hormone Therapy
Symptoms of hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone) include fatigue, cold and heat intolerance, hypotension, fluid retention, dry skin and/or hair, constipation, headaches, low sexual desire, infertility, irregular menstrual periods, aching muscles and joints, depression, anxiety, slowed metabolism and decreased heart rate, memory impairment, enlarged tongue, deep voice, swollen neck, PMS, weight gain, hypoglycemia, and high cholesterol and triglycerides. Yet, more than half of all people with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition.

Although both T4 (thyroxine, an inactive form that is converted to T3 in other areas of the body) and T3 (triiodothyronine, the active form) are secreted by the normal thyroid gland, many hypothyroid patients are treated only with levothyroxine (synthetic T4). Some hypothyroid patients remain symptomatic, and T3 may also be required for optimal thyroid replacement therapy. However, the only commercially available form of T3 is synthetic liothyronine sodium in an immediate release formulation which is rapidly absorbed, and may result in higher than normal T3 concentrations throughout the body causing serious side effects, including heart palpitations. Research indicates there is a need for sustained-release T3 preparations in order to avoid adverse effects.

A randomized, double-blind, crossover study found inclusion of T3 in thyroid hormone replacement improved cognitive performance, mood, physical status, and neuropsychological function in hypothyroid patients. Two-thirds of patients preferred T4 plus T3, and tended to be less depressed than after treatment with T4 alone. Patients and their physicians may wish to consider the use of sustained-release T3 in the treatment of hypothyroidism, particularly when the response to levothyroxine (T4) has not been complete.

 
 

GYNECOLOGY

Coming Soon

 
 

SKIN CARE/ANTI- AGING

Coming Soon

 
 

DERMATOLOGY

Our compounding professionals can prepare individualized therapies for a myriad of dermatologic problems. Compounding pharmacists continue to improve both the aesthetic and therapeutic aspects of customized medications, offering alternatives and advantages for dermatology. We can compound medications into cosmetically appealing creams, topical sprays and powders, as well as create customized oral dosage forms (such as flavored troches or lollipops) and various preparations for other routes of administration. Compatible drugs can be combined into a single dosage form to simplify a medication administration schedule and improve compliance. USP approved chemicals can be utilized to enhance the absorption of topically applied medications. We commonly prepare unique formulations that physicians develop to meet specific needs of their patient population, or “tried and true” formulas acquired during medical training.

 
 

MOTION SICKNESS

Professional Compounding Center of California (PCCC) makes a transdermal (through the skin) gel that you can use in place of a Scopolamine patch. Like the patch, it’s used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting.

About the gel

The Scopolamine gel made by PCCC comes in unit dose, pre-loaded syringes (without the needles) and is easy to apply. You simply squirt out the pre-measured gel from the syringe onto the wrist or behind an ear and massage into the skin. It’s anti-nausea effect begins in as little as 10 minutes and lasts anywhere from 6 to 12 hours, depending on the individual.

BE SURE TO WASH YOUR HANDS IMMEDIATELY AFTER APPLYING THE GEL!

Precautions and Side Effects

Possible side effects include dry mouth, drowsiness, and blurred vision. These are the same as the patch except they occur sooner but the duration is much shorter.

If you have glaucoma, you should NOT use Scopolamine gel.

If you are elderly, have bladder problems, impaired liver or kidney problems, ask your doctor before using Scopolamine in any form.

The syringe must be stored away from heat and direct light.

How to order

To order the Transdermal Scopolamine Gel, you must send PCCC a prescription from a U.S. licensed doctor indicating the quantity desired. The prescription should include the doctor’s state license number, office address, and phone number. Please have your doctor call our pharmacist for more information.

Methods of payment

PCCC accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and personal checks (checks, however, are subject to a 10 day hold.) The price varies according to quantity. Shipping is free to any address in the U.S.A.

Still have questions?

If you would like to consult with a pharmacist about Transdermal Scopolamine Gel, simply Contact Us. You will receive a prompt reply.


 
 

VETERINARY COMPOUNDING

Pharmacists Helping Vets and Pets

Our “specialty service should not be viewed as competition with local veterinarians; rather, compounding allows veterinarians to broaden their prescribing abilities and to offer [dosage] forms that are patient-specific in strength and formulation. Therefore, the goal of compounding for the veterinary patient is to enhance the veterinarian’s ability to treat patients in a more effective and efficient manner…

“Compounding can make medicating animals easier if the pharmacist prepares flavored chews that animals accept readily. For example, tranquilizing a feral cat with a liver-flavored chew eliminates the possibility of over- or underdosing. If a chew contains 10mg acepromazine and the dose fails to gain a response, a second flavored chew can be given to the animal. Furthermore, the amount of medication incorporated into the chews, capsules, [topical or transdermal], or liquid preparations can be formulated to the specific request of the veterinarian, thereby eliminating the need to cut-up tablets and divide the contents of commercially prepared capsules… As manufacturers decide that certain products are no longer economically rewarding to market, the list of commercially prepared veterinary medication becomes smaller. At present, the armamentarium of medications available for animals is less than perfect. Cherry-flavored amoxicillin or orange-flavored cephalexin may not be [appealing to a cat or monkey]…”

Veterinary Forum October 2002, (pp. 62-65)

Our compounding pharmacy can prepare:

  • Flavored medication
  • Medicine in ideal size, strength, and dosage form
  • Unavailable medications
  • Combinations to improve compliance
  • Novel devices and delivery systems

Compounding is actually a means to an end. We work together with veterinarians and their clients and patients to solve medication problems by compounding specialized medications that meet the unique needs of each animal – pets, exotics, horses, or zoo animals. Let us know how we can help you and the animals in your care.

 
 

GERIATRIC

It’s a natural fact that age brings new health challenges for each and every one of us. Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, memory loss, circulation problems, and immunity-related illnesses – these are just some of the chronic conditions we may confront as we become older. However, many common treatments for such conditions often address the symptoms and not the cause.

At Professional Compounding Center of California, we strive to understand your entire health history and the full range of health problems you may face, now and in the future. We will work with you to provide solutions that address your specific health problems and overall well-being day by day. Our health solutions include one-on-one consultation services, nutritional supplements, and natural medicine, as well as any compounded medications you may require.

Best of all, you can trust us to listen to your concerns and to find the most comprehensive treatment possible for you to live happy and healthy.

We address a number of age-related health issues including:

  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Arthritis
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Osteoporosis
  • Menopause
  • Andropause

 
 

AUTISM

We work together with prescribers, children, and their families to customize medications and meet specific needs.

Children pose many challenges when it comes to medication: they may resist having to take a medication, dislike the taste or texture, have difficulty swallowing solid dosage forms, and are fearful of injections.

The limited pediatric market for most drugs may be the leading reason for the lack of investment in drug development for this population by the pharmaceutical industry. Most medications are not labeled for pediatric populations, and when a medication is not approved for use in infants and children, it usually is not available in a suitable pediatric dosage form. Fortunately, our compounding pharmacy is able to help. We can compound oral medications into pleasantly flavored suspensions, solutions, concentrates, freezerpops, “gummy bears” or lozenges, in colors that entice the child to take the medication. A palatable formulation is more likely to improve compliance and minimize spillage or waste during administration. Lollipops are an ideal alternative to “swish and swallow” medications that need to be retained in the mouth for a prolonged period of time. Most drugs can be compounded into transdermal gels that can easily be applied to an appropriate site, such as the child’s wrist, for absorption through the skin.

Professional compounding Center of California is not just diluting existing medications, or mixing powders with bases. We must consider physical and chemical properties of each active and inactive ingredient in order to prepare an effective and safe customized medication with the desired taste, color, fragrance, viscosity, uniformity, texture, and stability. The efficacy of any compounded medication is influenced by the technique and equipment used in preparing the formulation, the purity and quality of the ingredients, choice of vehicle (base), and proper use of additives such as penetration enhancers.

 
 

PEDIATRIC

We work together with Pediatricians, families, and their children to customize pediatric medications and meet specific needs.

Children pose many challenges when it comes to medication: they may resist having to take a medication, dislike the taste or texture, have difficulty swallowing solid dosage forms, and are fearful of injections. Most medications are not labeled for pediatric populations, and when a medication is not approved for use in infants and children, it usually is not available in a suitable pediatric dosage form.

“Drugs don’t work if people don’t take them.”
C. Everett Koop, M.D., former U.S. Surgeon General

Fortunately, Professional Compounding Center of California is able to help. We can compound oral medications into pleasantly flavored suspensions, solutions, rapid dissolve tablets, lollipops, freezer pops, “gummy bears” or lozenges, in colors that entice the child to take the medication. Some drugs can be compounded into transdermal gels that can easily be applied to an appropriate site, such as the child’s wrist, for absorption through the skin.

These alternative palatable formulations are more likely to improve a child’s medication therapy compliance and minimize spillage or waste during administration. Greater medication compliance leads to improved medical outcomes.

Other Pediatric challenges Stanley Apothecary can help solve:

  • Acne
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Autism
  • Diaper Rash
  • Fungal Infections
  • Head Lice
  • Scabies
  • Molluscum Contagiosum
  • Nausea & Vomiting
  • Topical Anesthesia

Professional compounding is not just diluting existing medications, or mixing powders with bases. Professional Compounding Center of California must consider physical and chemical properties of each active and inactive ingredient in order to prepare an effective and safe customized medication with the desired taste, color, fragrance, viscosity, uniformity, texture, and stability. The efficiency of any compounded medication is influenced by the technique and equipment used in preparing the formulation, the purity and quality of the ingredients, choice of vehicle (base), and proper use of additives such as penetration enhancers.

 
 

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Pain management is essential because even when the underlying disease process is stable, uncontrolled pain prevents patients from working productively, enjoying recreation, or taking pleasure in their usual roles in the family and society. Chronic pain may have a myriad of causes and perpetuating factors, and therefore can be much more difficult to manage than acute pain, requiring a multidisciplinary approach and customized treatment protocols to meet the specific needs of each patient.

Optimal treatment may involve the use of medications that possess pain-relieving properties, including some antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antiarrhythmics, anesthetics, antiviral agents, and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) antagonists. NMDA-receptor antagonists, such as dextromethorphan and ketamine, can block pain transmission in dorsal horn spinal neurons, reduce nociception, and decrease tolerance to and the need for opioid analgesics. [Anesth Analg 2001 Mar;92(3):739-44]  By combining various agents which utilize different mechanisms to alter the sensation of pain, physicians have found that smaller concentrations of each medication can be used.

Topical and transdermal creams and gels can be formulated to provide high local concentrations at the site of application (e.g., NSAIDs for joint pain), for trigger point application (e.g., combinations of medications for neuropathic pain), or in a base that will allow systemic absorption. Side effects associated with oral administration can often be avoided when medications are used topically. Studies suggest that there are no great restrictions on the type of drug that can be incorporated into a properly compounded transdermal gel.  When medications are administered transdermally, they are not absorbed through the gastrointestinal system and do not undergo first-pass hepatic metabolism.

At Professional Compounding Center of California we work together with patient and practitioner to solve problems by customizing medications that meet the specific needs of each individual. Please contact our compounding pharmacist to discuss the dosage form, strength, and medication or combination that is most appropriate for your patient.

 
 

SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

Coming Soon

 
 

BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONE THERAPY

Structural differences exist between human, and synthetic and animal hormones. In order for a replacement hormone to fully replicate the function of hormones which were originally naturally produced and present in the human body, the chemical structure must exactly match the original.  There are significant differences between hormones that are natural to humans and synthetic or horse preparations. Side chains can be added to a naturally-occurring hormone to create a synthetic drug that can be patented by a manufacturer. A patented drug can be profitable to mass produce, and therefore a drug company can afford to fund research as to the medication’s use and effectiveness. However, naturally-occurring substances can not be patented, so scientific studies are less numerous on natural hormones, because medical research is usually funded by drug companies.

Natural hormones include estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), progesterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and pregnenolone. Our compounding specialists work together with patients and prescribers to provide customized hormone replacement therapy that provides the needed hormones in the most appropriate strength and dosage form to meet each man’s or woman’s specific needs. Hormone replacement therapy should be initiated carefully after a man’s or woman’s medical and family history has been reviewed. Every man or woman is unique and will respond to therapy in his or her own way. Close monitoring and medication adjustments are essential.