Posted by Mike Martin on Wed, Mar 10, 2010 @ 03:32 PM
Mexiletine hydrochloride, is an orally active antiarrhythmic agent available as 150 mg, 200 mg and 250 mg capsules. The FDA has issued a current drug shortage alert for mexiletine, and the manufacturer expects this shortage to continue through April 2010.
Bayview Pharmacy, Rhode Island's premier compounding only pharmacy, has the ability to compound mexiletine hydrochloride to meet your needs during this shortage. Your licensed prescriber will need to indicate, on your prescription, his/her desire to have the medication compounded; an example of which follows:
Compounded Medication
Mexiletine Hydrochloride 200mg
Capsules
#90
Take 1 capsule TID
For more information please contact us via phone or email.
Posted by Mike Martin on Thu, Feb 25, 2010 @ 03:28 PM
Recently the American Academy of Family Physicians released a list of warning signs concerning diaper rash. They recommend that diaper rash should be evaluated by a doctor when:
The rash breaks out when the baby is 6 weeks or younger.
The rash has small ulcers or pimples.
The rash is accompanied by fever, nodules or large bumps.
The infant doesn't look well or has lost weight.
The rash spreads beyond the diaper area, including to the scalp, face or arms.
The rash doesn't improve with treatment after a week.
In many cases a pharmacy that focuses in making specialized medications (i.e. compounding pharmacy), like Bayview Pharmacy, can assist you and your physician in identifying a proper treatment strategy for your child. A compounding pharmacy can identify medications that may help to treat your child's illness and develop a strategy that maximizes effectiveness, while limiting costs.
An example of how a compounding pharmacy could help to treat your child's diaper rash follows. Topical cholestyramine ointment has been identified as an agent that may help treat irritation due to bile acids. Topical mupirocin has been identified as an agent that has shown the ability alleviate diaper dermatitis and Candida. A compounding pharmacist has the ability to compound these two medications together, into one topical ointment. The advantages of such an ointment could be:
- Increased efficacy compared to either agent used individually
- Decreased amounts of medications being utilized due to a dual therapy product being applied
- Decreased medication costs due to the above
An example of how a physician might prescribe for this compounded medication would be:
Compounded Medication
Cholestyramine 10% / Mupirocin 2%
Topical Ointment
120gm
Apply to affected area TID or @ each diaper change
For more information about treating diaper rash or how prescription compounding may help you - contact us at your convenience.
Posted by Mike Martin on Thu, Feb 11, 2010 @ 07:50 AM
Many people with chronic cancer-related pain experience intermittent flares of pain that can occur even though a person is taking analgesic pain medication. These severe flares of pain are called breakthrough pain because the pain "breaks through" the regular pain medication. In fact a recently published study found people who suffer from breakthrough pain stated that :
47% say their pain is due to their cancer treatment.
96% have a breakthrough pain episode at least once a month; 71% have one at least once a week. More than 20% have several pain episodes each day.
73% say they wake up with breakthrough pain at least one night each month.
60% say their pain interferes with their relationships.
66% say their breakthrough cancer pain causes them financial difficulties.
25% say they can't pay for prescribed pain treatments.
Almost all people experiencing chronic cancer pain should receive pain medications for consistent pain managment AND a medication specifically for treatment of breakthrough pain. If this has not been offered to you, discuss this with your health care provider. The ideal medication for breakthrough cancer pain should be easily administered, work rapidly, and fit your specific needs.
Bayview Pharmacy, Rhode Island's premier compounding pharmacy
has the ability to compound many types of medications that are easily administered, work rapidly, and since they are compounded, are made to meet your specific needs. Examples would be:
- Fentanyl
- Buprenorphine
- Morphine
These medications can be compounded at doses to meet your needs, and in delivery forms that are easy to administer and promote rapid uptake. Examples might include:
- Intranasal Sprays
- Transdermal Gels
- Troches
For more specific information, and to discuss your options with one of our specially trained compounding pharmacists, contact us at your convenience.
Posted by Mike Martin on Fri, Feb 05, 2010 @ 08:31 AM
A shortage of commercially available 200 mg, 400 mg and 800 mg acyclovir tablets/capsules has increased the demand for compounding pharmacists to fill this need for patients. Bayview Pharmacy, Rhode Island's largest compounding pharmacy, has access to the pure acyclovir powder. We can compound acyclovir into capsules, at strengths that meet your needs, and we can ship directly to your front door!
All compounded medications require a prescription from a licensed medical provider. An example of how your medical provider might write for compounded acyclovir follows:
Compounded Medication
Acyclovir 400mg
Capsules
#60
Take 1 capsule BID
Feel free to call us @ 401-284-4505 M-F 9-6EST, or contact us online for more information.
Posted by Mike Martin on Thu, Feb 04, 2010 @ 08:51 AM
As a valued customer of Bayview Pharmacy, we would like to inform you about a change in our professional practice. As our compounding practice has grown (we are now the largest compounding pharmacy in RI), we have had less time to devote to filling standard prescriptions. We have decided, therefore, to move our non-compounded prescription files to Rite Aid located at 1193 Boston Neck Road - Phone 401-789-5037. We will continue to service your compounding needs, and will be able to devote 100% of our time to that endeavor.
We have been assured that RiteAid stands ready to fill your non-compounded prescriptions. They have all of your records, and will be prepared to serve you effective immediately.
We thank you for the opportunity to service your non-compounded prescription needs, and we look forward to continuing to serve all of your compounded prescription needs.
Posted by Mike Martin on Tue, Nov 17, 2009 @ 02:33 PM
Methoxsalen is anticipated to be on backorder until March of 2010.
Methoxsalen belongs to the group of medicines called psoralens. It is used along with ultraviolet light in a treatment called PUVA to treat vitiligo, a disease in which skin color is lost, and psoriasis, a skin condition associated with red and scaly patches.
Methoxsalen is also used with ultraviolet light in the treatment of white blood cells. This treatment is called photopheresis and is used to treat the skin problems associated with mycosis fungoides, which is a type of lymphoma.
Bayview Pharmacy, Rhode Island's premier compounding pharmacy, has access to the pure Methoxsalen powder and can compound Methoxsalen either in capsule or lotion form to meet your needs, and we can ship to your location throughout the USA.
Feel free to call us @ 401-284-4505 M-F 9-6, or contact us online for more information.
Posted by Mike Martin on Mon, Nov 16, 2009 @ 12:34 PM
Everyone suffers from acute pain when injured or ill, but acute pain goes away quickly. Chronic pain is defined by experts as pain that has not gone away or recurs frequently even after six months have passed. Traditional treatment methods often fail to bring relief.
The reason for this is because most medications utilized for pain are dosed orally causing the medication to effect the entire body, even where it is not needed. This in turn can lead to unwanted side effects that limit the usefulness of these medications.
A compounding pharmacist can create medications that limit/eliminate side effects, while also providing pain relief. Compounding medications for chronic pain relief allows for...
- ...unique delivery vehicles to be utilzed (i.e. topical cream, troche, iontophoresis solutions); which makes administering the medication easier, more pleasant, and potentially more effective
- ...medicines to be concentrated based on individual need which maximizes therapeutic outcomes while reducing side effects
- ...multiple medications, that have been shown to have modest effects individually, to be combined to form a more potent customized medication. This may speed the healing process and save patients valuable time and money, eliminating needlessly switching from one therapy to the next
A compounding pharmacist uses raw chemicals, powders, liquids and special equipment to make medications. This results in a customized medication made by a pharmacist, according to a doctor's directions, to meet an individual patient need.
Compounding is fundamental to the profession of pharmacy, is legal in all 50 states, and pharmacists are the only health care professionals that have studied chemical compatibilities and who can prepare alternate dosage forms.
To find a compounding pharmacy near you go to http://www.iacprx.org/ or feel free to contact us as we can ship medications throughout the USA.
Posted by Mike Martin on Fri, Oct 30, 2009 @ 02:58 PM
There is currently a shortage of all commercially available strengths of azithromycin oral suspension. If you or your patients are having difficulty getting azithromycin (Zithromax, Z Pack) prescriptions filled at a retail pharmacy due to manufacture backorder, Bayview Pharmacy may be able to help.
Bayview Pharmacy, Rhode Island's premier compounding pharmacy, has the ability to compound azithromycin in the following strengths:
100mg/5ml Flavored Oral Suspension
200mg/5ml Flavored Oral Suspension
Customized strengths are also available!
Prescriptions will need to be written with the request to compound, and an example of how you might prescribe follows:
Compounded Medication
Azithromycin 100mg/5ml
Flavored Oral Suspension
30ml
5mls on day 1 followed by 2.5mls on days 2-5
We bill prescription drug insurances so insurance co-pays should not change. We also can ship anywhere in the USA, next day if need be. For more information, please contact Ryan Dyer, RPh./Owner, M-F 9-6pm @ 401-284-4505, or fill out the "Ask the Pharmacist" form on our "About Prescription Compounding / Bayview Pharmacy" page.
Posted by Mike Martin on Wed, Oct 28, 2009 @ 02:25 PM
People with diabetes are especially prone to foot problems, so it's important to take good care of your feet and inspect them frequently. According to The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, diabetic foot lesions are responsible for more hospitalizations than any other complication of diabetes. Among patients with diabetes, 15% develop a foot ulcer, and 12-24% of individuals with a foot ulcer require amputation.
A compounding pharmacy has the ability to work with your medical provider and custom make medications specifically for diabetic wounds and wound management. Medications can be compounded into topical formulations that may improve wound healing, reduce side effects, and minimize treatment costs. The following are some medications that a compounding pharmacist and your medical provider may consider utilizing when treating certain diabetic wounds.
Phenytoin
- Promotes granulation (tissue proliferation) in a healing wound
- Inhibits formation of collagenase, thereby, increasing collagen synthesis
- Decreases exudates, alleviates pain, exerts an antimicrobial effect, counteracts inflammation
- Proven effective in treatment of decubitus ulcers, traumatic wounds, diabetic and burn ulcers
- Used topically as solution, gel, cream, at concentrations of 1% - 10%
Nifedipine
- Inhibition of calcium influx into smooth muscles decreases vascular tone, thereby, increasing blood flow and vascularization of treated area.
- Used topically at 5 - 20% concentrations
Misoprostol
- Synthetic prostaglandin used primarily to protect gastric mucosa by replacing endogenous prostaglandins depleted by medications such as NSAIDs. Drug's mechanism of action aids in the acceleration of wound healing.
- Used topically at very low concentrations
Pentoxifylline
- Phosphodiesterase inhibitor used to reduce blood viscosity and improve circulation. Enhances vascular permeability resulting in increased blood flow and oxygen delivery to wound site. Improves functions of red and white blood cells and platelets.
- Used topically at concentrations of 5% to 15%.
Gentamicin / Clindamycin / Polymyxin B
- Gentamicin - most active against aerobic gram-negative rods, but it is also used in combination with other antibiotics to treat Staphylococcus aureus and certain species of streptococcus.
- Clindamycin - anti-anaerobic activity, either bacteriostatic or bactericidal, depending on its concentration at the site of action and on the specific susceptibility of the organism being treated.
- Polymyxin B - spectrum of activity is limited to gram-negative bacteria, bactericidal against most gram-negative bacilli; however, some Proteus and Serratia species may be resistant. Polymyxin B has no in vitro activity against gram-positive organisms or fungi.
Metronidazole
- Antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent with effective coverage against many anaerobic organisms
- Used topically, also provides control of wound odor.
If you suffer from diabetes and notice any changes in the appearance of your feet make sure to consult with your medical provider to diagnose the issue, and ask him/her to contact a compounding pharmacy that specializes in wound care.
Posted by Mike Martin on Mon, Oct 19, 2009 @ 04:14 PM
Recently UCLA Health Sciences released an article discussing ways to minimize the pain children experience while receiving a flu shot.
"The good news is that there are several techniques that parents can use to positively impact their child's experience when getting a needlestick-whether it's a flu shot, a childhood vaccine, or blood work," said Dr. Lonnie Zeltzer, director of the Pediatric Pain 
Program at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA. "The key is to be creative and use the right combination of tactics depending on your child's age, the particular procedure being done and the child's fear level."
One of their suggestions is to "Ask your doctor for a prescription for a numbing cream...[to] put on the areas to be injected."
A compounding pharmacy is an outstanding place to inquire about having a numbing creamed prescribed for your child. Compounding pharmacies have the ability to custom make anesthetic creams that will meet the exact needs of your child. These compounded creams may differ from manufactured products in strength, composition, and/or delivery method.
The biggest difference is that a manufactured product is not made with your individual child's needs in mind, whereas a compounded product is. A compounding pharmacist is a great resource for you if your child suffers from allergies, or any chronic medical condition. Compounded medications can limit unwanted side effects, and make delivery of many medications much easier than there manufactured counterparts.
So if you are considering having your child receive the flu shot - or any type of needlestick - contact a compounding pharmacy to help limit his/her physical pain, and your psychological pain.