Sports Medicine Compounding

INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES, INDIVIDUAL MEDICATION

What is compounding? Pharmacy compounding is the art and science of preparing custom medications for individual patients.  In recent years, compounding has experienced a resurgence, as many physicians are working with pharmacists to provide their patients with the benefit of medications tailored specifically for certain needs.

Sports activities and fitness programs focus upon an athlete's strengths and are customized to meet his or her individual needs. So why not do the same with medication needs? Compounding allow pharmacists - working closely with both the athletic patient and a physician or trainer - to prepare dosage strengths, potency and delivery systems for the utmost in therapy.

STRENGTH VARIATIONS

Just like a 275-lb. offensive lineman and a 170-lb. shortstop require individual training programs, they also require different amounts of medication to speed recovery or treat muscle pain. Yet commercially available products come in limited dosage amounts.  Compounding offers a way to "finesse" the exact amount of medication to a certain need and body type, resulting in more accurate dosing.

UNIQUE DOSAGE FORMS

Another important benefit is the compounding pharmacist's ability to alter the delivery system of medications.  Capsules and tables taken orally must pass through a patient's digestive tract before making their way into the system.  For anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxants and other medications, this can result in lessening potency and some gastrointestinal side effects. A compounding pharmacist can prepare custom topical creams, transdermal gels or solutions that are not otherwise available.  By treating pain at its trigger point, relief and recover can be strengthened.

Athletes of every type can benefit from compounding. Swimmers can receive treatment for swimmer's ear and fungal problems. Bowlers need relief from stresses on the wrist, finger joints and lower arm. Joggers and walkers deal with swelling and muscle pain. Almost any repetitive sport - including golf, tennis and softball - can lead to chronic injuries resulting from overuse.

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