Compounding

Mass-produced medications do not meet the needs of every patient

• A patient may need a strength not commercially available
• A patient may need the medication in a different dosage form, such as a suspension or lozenge, so that the medication can be ingested
• A patient may not be able to tolerate certain preservatives, additives, colors or flavorings in a commercially available medication
• A patient may need help simplifying their medication regimen

For such problems, specialized compounding may be the answer. The pharmacists at Stuart Ellis IDA Pharmacy have been schooled in extemporaneous compounding, the art and science of preparing medications to meet specific patient needs. Through compounding we can help physicians and their patients by providing customized and unique formulations.

The pharmacists at Stuart Ellis IDA Pharmacy belong to an association of compounders, The Professional Compounding Centers of America. PCCA's extensive support system offers on-going education, training, immediate answers to difficult questions and the latest innovations in compounding research. All of our products are made with the highest quality ingredients, knowledge and expertise.

Products that we can prepare include:

Oral Medications

• Capsules – immediate and extended release
• Lollipops
• Lozenges
• Powders
• Rapid-dissolve tablets
• Suspensions
• Solutions
• Sublingual drops
• Syrups
• Troches – chocolate, gelatin, and plain

Topical Medications

• Creams
• Gels
• Lip balms
• Mouth washes
• Mucoadhesive dental preparations
• Ointments
• Transdermal preparations
• Solutions
• Ultrasound gels

Other

• Suppositories - rectal and vaginal
• Nasal Sprays
• Flavorings

Samples of products that we can prepare include:

• Antibiotic creams
• Antibiotic/Antifungal lozenges and troches
• Bio-identical hormone capsules, creams, suppositories, and sublingual drops
• Bio-identical thyroid hormone replacement capsules
• Cosmetic creams to treat sun spots, wrinkles, and scars
• Liquid preparations for those that cannot swallow tablets or capsules
• Medication mouthwashes
• Nose sprays
• Topical cold-sore treatments
• Transdermal pain creams
• Vitamin and mineral supplements

We are able to work with you and your doctor to customize your medications and make sure you receive "just what the doctor ordered".

Compounding for Children

Children are excellent candidates for custom prescription compounding. Many times commercially manufactured drugs are not suitable for a child due to poor taste, inability to swallow capsules, unique strength requirements, or special allergies/intolerances such as sugar, gluten, casein, soy, or dyes.

Flavoring

Many children refuse to take a medication due to its texture or color. Many medications can be transformed into colourful, pleasantly flavored dosage forms such as lozenges, lollipops, or even chocolate troches. We have dozens of child-friendly flavors and colors to make medications more appealing to young patients.

Unique Dosage Forms

Many children are unable to swallow capsules or tablets. To solve this problem, your physician and compounding pharmacist can prepare medications in alternative dosage forms that your child will not mind taking.

Strength and Ingredient Variations

Children of different ages and sizes require different dosages of medications. Custom compounding allows your physician to tailor the dose specifically to your child’s needs.

It is very common for children to have allergies or intolerances to food products, additives, or dyes. We are able to work with your physician to create custom medications that do not contain such items as sugar, gluten, lactose, casein, soy, or artificial colorings.

Compounding for Animals

As any pet owner is well aware, animals can be extremely difficult to treat with medications. Cats are notorious for refusing to swallow pills. Dosages can be very tricky with dogs – a dose of medication that works for an 80-pound Golden Retriever may be far too much for a six-pound Yorkie to handle. Large and exotic pets, such as horses, rabbits, birds, ferrets, and reptiles, pose many unique medication challenges. We at Stuart Ellis Pharmacy are equipped to help them all.

Quality Assurance

We receive our compounding chemicals and supplies from PCCA. Prior to shipment to the pharmacy all chemicals are tested in-house at PCCA to ensure quality and purity. Each lot is tested using Infrared Spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible analysis, melting point, specific gravity, solubility and chemical identifications.