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.
Posted by Mike Martin on Wed, Oct 14, 2009 @ 06:46 PM
Recently, there have been several news reports about the increase in the incidence of autism in the USA. A diagnosis of autism can bring about a multitude of questions regarding the best treatment strategies for your child. While there is no known cure or "autism treatment", there are treatment approaches that may reduce some of the challenges associated with the condition.
A compounding pharmacy may be an excellent resource for parents of children diagnosed with autism. Compounding pharmacists have the capabilities to customize pediatric preparations that are easy to take, improve therapeutic outcomes, reduce side effects, and save patients time and money.
Compounding medications for children and adolescents allows for...
- ...unique delivery vehicles to be utilzed (i.e. topical cream, flavored lozenge, flavored oral solution); 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
Approaches for the improvement of autism and autism spectrum disorder may include any of the following medications (not an exhaustive list):
- Methylcobalamin
- Folinic Acid
- Naltrexone
- Melatonin
These medications can be prepared in a variety of forms including capsules, flavored oral solutions, transdermal gels, or injection solutions to name a few. To find out more, and to see if a compounded medication might be right for your child, contact a compounding pharmacy today.
Posted by Mike Martin on Thu, Oct 08, 2009 @ 06:20 PM
Having suffered from back pain (specifically lower back pain), as a result of an athletic injury, I understand how frustrating it can be to find back pain relief. I've found that a multidisciplinary approach - chiropractor, massage therapist, stretching, and medication when necessary - has worked well, and allowed me to maintain the quality of lifestyle that I would like.
Recently, a study was published that discussed how quickly people bounced back from low back pain regardless of back pain treatment. Unfortunately, the study did not delve into what the best treatment strategies were for relief of back pain.
For most people suffering from the acute phases of back pain, differing types of medication will be sought depending on the severity of pain. A majority of these medications will be prescribed as monotherapy and dispensed as capsules or tablets. There are a variety of medications that have shown to have some effect in reducing back pain - NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, opioids, and antidepressants have all shown some level of efficacy in providing pain relief. But what happens if these medications are not appropriate for you due to:
- A pre-existing medical condition such as stomach ulcers
- Intolerable side effects such as nausea or dry mouth
- Lack of efficacy at the recommended doses
How are you able to find pain relief then?
Fortunately for those people who can not take or tolerate manufactured medications, a compounding pharmacy such as Bayview Pharmacy may be able to help. Compounding pharmacies have the ability to custom make medications to your specific needs. So a compounding pharmacist could take an NSAID like ibuprofen, and a muscle relaxant like cyclobenzaprine and combine them into a transdermal cream. This cream could be applied directly to your site of pain and could result in:
- Greater pain relief than either medication taken alone orally
- Improved tolerability due to its delivery method
- A decrease in the actual amount of medication necessary to relieve one's pain
- Reduced costs due to the medication being used less often and less medication being utilized per administration
Medication will not cure your back problems, but it can help you to improve your functionality and quality of life. For more information on how a compounding pharmacy may be able to help you expand your treatment options, contact Bayview Pharmacy and speak with our uniquely trained compounding pharmacists.
Posted by Mike Martin on Mon, Oct 05, 2009 @ 12:27 PM
Good health requires personal responsibility and the right to personal choice. There are many different ways that you can pursue improved health. One of those ways involves working with a compounding pharmacy like Bayview Pharmacy in Rhode Island.
Prescription compounding improves peoples' health, by making medicine easier to take. Compounding allows specially trained pharmacists to "custom make" medications for an individual patient (human or animal), based on that patient's unique needs and symptoms. Most compounding pharmacies are individually owned and have a vested interest in the communities that they serve.
A compounding pharmacist uses raw chemicals, powders, liquids and special equipment to make medications, that are prescribed by licensed medical providers. This results in a customized medication being made by a pharmacist, according to a doctor's directions, that meet an individual patient need.
Every day, medications are compounded at Bayview Pharmacy by specially trained pharmacists to help treat a wide variety of diseases including - acne, warts, erectile dysfunction, fibromyalgia, and hemorrhoids to name a few. We even compound medications for your pets. And since we offer such unique services I wanted to mention 5 ways that we are improving patients' health today.
- Increasing Medication Efficacy - Compounding pharmacies are able to adjust doses and combine medications, based on individual need. The resulting product is a medication that is customized for your unique circumstances.
- Decreasing Medication Side Effects - Because medications are customized, a compounding pharmacist has the ability to tailor a medication to meet your requirements, reducing the chances that you will suffer from an allergic reaction or side effect.
- Increasing Medication Compliance - Studies have shown that the greater number of medications a patient must take the less compliant that patient is. Bayview Pharmacy has the ability to combine several medications, regardless of disease state, into one delivery form that helps improve patient compliance.
- Decreasing Costs & Time- Instead of needlessly switching drugs trying to find the right one to help you (and spending untold amounts of dollars in the process) Bayview Pharmacy can customize several medications into one delivery form saving you money and time.
- Expanding Treatment Options - Bayview Pharmacy allows doctors to expand their treatment options by turning pills into creams, injectables, gels, flavored solutions, flavored treats and so much more. Medications can be combined and adjusted to fit each individual's needs.
So if you are looking to improve your health, or improve the process in which you acquire health care, look no further than a compounding pharmacy like Bayview Pharmacy.