Pain is the most common symptom for which individuals seek medical help. Acute pain easily can evolve into chronic pain, which can become difficult to treat. Many commonly prescribed, commercially available pain relief medications help the symptoms associated with chronic conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, and other nerve and muscle pain, but they can also result in unwanted side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness and stomach irritation. Many patients taking these medications come to accept these conditions as part of daily life, but they may find a better solution through a compounding pharmacy.
Compounding offers personalized pain relief. Struggling through chronic pain or the side effects of pain medication does not have to be a daily activity. Compounding is the art and science of preparing customized medications for patients. It provides valuable benefits to those for whom pain management has become a way of life.
Acute Pain pain begins suddenly and is usually sharp in quality. It serves as a warning of disease or a threat to the body. Acute pain may be caused by many events or circumstances, such as: Surgery, broken bones, Dental work, Burns or cuts
Chronic Pain pain persists despite the fact that an injury has healed. Pain signals remain active in the nervous system for weeks, months, or years. Physical effects include tense muscles, limited mobility, a lack of energy, and changes in appetite. Emotional effects include depression, anger, anxiety, and fear of re-injury. Such a fear may hinder a person's ability to return to normal work or leisure activities.
Treatment & Care
Pain Management Compounding Every individual is unique, and the types of pain experienced can be equally diverse. By working with a compounding pharmacist, your healthcare provider can prescribe treatments tailored specifically for your pain management needs.
Alternate Dosage Forms
Compounding can provide alternate methods of delivery to make the process easier. Pain medications often can be compounded in different dosage forms such as
* Capsules or custom-flavored troche that dissolves under the tongue
* Topical gel, cream or spray that can be applied directly to the site of the pain and absorbed through the skin.
* Suppository : Such dosage forms may bypass the gastrointestinal tract, providing optimal results with less GI irritation, and help patients who have difficulty swallowing pills, removing yet another source of aggravation.
Combined Formulations
On many occasions, multiple medications can be combined into a single dose of a specially prepared compound that combines the medications into a single capsule or topical preparation, providing greater convenience for the patient. Some common combinations include use of different anti-inflammatory medications (such as Ketoprofen, Diclofenac, etc.) with anesthetics (Licodaine ) and other pain specific agents to help alleviate the pain.
Refernces
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pain.html#cat3
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?volume=299&issue=1&page=128
http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/pain-management-living-managing
http://www.healingchronicpain.org/content/introduction/recommendations.asp