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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-inflammatories, 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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