Compounding
What is Compounding?
Pharmacy compounding is the art and science of preparing personalized medications for patients. Compounded medications are “made from scratch” – individual ingredients are mixed together in the exact strength and dosage form required by the patient. This method allows the compounding pharmacist to work with the patient and the prescriber to customize a medication to meet the patient’s specific needs.
Compounding Pharmacists Make Medication that is Difficult to Find or Discontinued
Sometimes a large pharmaceutical manufacturer discontinues a medication. Often this happens because not enough patients are taking the drug, so it is unprofitable to keep mass-producing it. But what about the patients who still need that drug? Hundreds or even thousands of patients still may need that medication.
A compounding pharmacist can re-create that medication by compounding it, so even if only one person in the world still needs that medication, they can have it thanks to compounding!
Compounding Pharmacists Make Medication Allergy-Friendly
A patient may be allergic to or intolerant of an ingredient commonly found in the commercially manufactured form of a medication. Ingredients that may be allergy-inducing include:
-
Lactose
-
Preservatives
-
Dyes
-
Gluten
-
Sugar
A compounding pharmacist can create a personalized medication, formulated to give the patient the treatment they need while leaving out the problematic ingredient.
Compounding Pharmacists Make Medicine Easier to Use
Some medications have a very unpleasant flavor, which makes the patient less likely to take it as directed. A compounding pharmacist can flavor many medications to make it more palatable without compromising the medication’s effectiveness. This is especially handy when dealing with medications for patients who may refuse medication, such as young children, elderly patients, or even pets!
A patient may need their medication in a different dosage form. For instance, patients who have difficulty swallowing a pill may find it easier to take their medication in a pleasantly flavored liquid form. Some medications can be compounded in a topical form such as a cream or a gel that allows the medicine to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Our Specialties
Women's Health
Are your hormones out of balance? Compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can restore balance and make you feel like yourself again.
Pain Management
Many chronic pain sufferers require a variety of medications and specialized dosage forms. Compounding allows us to combine multiple medications in one preparation and create topicals that are applied directly to the site of pain.
Dermatology
Our custom compounded medications can help with acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, scars, wounds, warts, nail fungus, dark spots, uneven skin texture, and improve overall skin appearance.
Sports Medicine and Podiatry
Whether the patient is experiencing an injury, infection, tissue disorder, or skin lesions, our pharmacy can offer a wide variety of dosage forms and medications to solve the issue.
Men's Health
Compounding pharmacists can help with many health issues that affect men of all ages. Compounded bioidentical hormone therapy can be adjusted to fit each individual's needs.
Family Medicine
It’s no secret that most pediatric patients don’t like to take medicine. With compounding, we can offer solutions to make medication more agreeable, whether it's with custom flavoring for improved taste, or providing individualized strengths and dosage forms.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Many patients may not be able to take oral medications. Fortunately, our compounded medications come in a variety of dosage forms such as troches, ointments, and suppositories.
Dental and Oral Health
Our compounding pharmacy provides custom mouth wash rinses, topical gels, medicated lollipops, and dissolvable lozenges for dental treatments.
Veterinary
Compounding pharmacists can prepare medicines in easy-to-give flavored dosage forms that animals happily devour. We cater to many species including dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds, ferrets, reptiles, and zoo animals.
Autoimmune
We offer customized fillers that are hypoallergenic, gluten free, casein free, and dye free. Plus, doses are always customizable with compounding.
Ear, Nose, & Throat
We cater to many ENT conditions such as sleep apnea, sinus problems, ear infections, and gastric reflux.
Oncology Support
Our company’s top priority is to keep our patients not only healthy, but also comfortable. We help patients by offering a variety of medication delivery methods as well as combining medications together into one dosage form.
Consultations
Have medication questions or concerns that are more detailed or take more
time to discuss? Our pharmacists would be pleased to schedule a private
consultation with you! (Fees may apply)
Topics include:
-
Hormone supplementation and balance
-
Pain management with compounded topical creams
-
Comprehensive medication/supplement review
Your scheduled consultation will generally last 30-60 minutes. We recommend that you bring all of your current medications and supplements to your consultation. We will work with you and your doctor to optimize your custom medications and hormone therapies.
To schedule your appointment, please email or call:
lab@kuslers.com
(360) 568-1297
Travel Consults and Vaccines
Whether it be a simple flu shot or a complicated excursion to a foreign country, we are here to help you!
Our pharmacists are certified to handle all of your vaccination and pre-travel consultation needs. We have additional training through the Washington State Pharmacy Association and the International Society of Travel Medicine to better meet your needs.
Immunization Advice & Administration
Destination Specific Medications
Immunization Certificates
To book a travel consult, complete and submit the travel consult form. We will be in
touch in 2-3 business days. It is best to schedule your appointment 4-6 weeks before departure. If you are traveling with a group of 6 or more, contact us directly.
Do you already know your vaccination needs and don't need a consultation? Contact us directly for a vaccine appointment, and fill out the vaccine consent form prior to your appointment.
Interested in having a flu clinic come to your workplace? Contact our pharmacy to schedule an onsite flu clinic.
Medication Counseling
Some medications require more complex instructions. If you need more guidance on how to take your medication, look through the videos shown below that are relevant to you. Please contact our pharmacists for any additional clarification.