compounded medications being made in a lab
October 30, 2023

Not all pharmacies are the same, especially regarding our neighborhood pharmacy in Alpena, MI. We stand out not just because of our friendly service and fast prescription fills but also because we are a compounding pharmacy. Not all pharmacies offer this service, so we want to answer some of your frequently asked questions, including “How does compounding work?”

What is a compounding pharmacy?

different types of medication

A compounding pharmacy such as ours goes beyond providing traditional prescription and over-the-counter medications by creating custom formulations and strengths of medications not commercially available. For example, we can combine multiple compatible medicines into a single dose, change a dosage form to something that fits the patient’s preference, or add flavorings to make children’s medicine more palatable. Here are a few of the dosage forms we currently offer:

  • creams/ointments
  • capsules
  • suspensions
  • suppositories
  • topical sprays
  • nasal sprays
  • lozenges/troches
  • powder insufflators

No matter what accommodations you need, we work to make taking your necessary medications as simple and convenient for you as possible. Our goal is to get you the treatment you deserve that will be the most effective for your situation.

How does compounding work?

Compounding is the art of mixing and altering ingredients in order to create a specific product personalized to an individual. Our pharmacists are trained in the art of compounding and work in a state-of-the-art lab maintained according to the highest standards of safety and quality. Compounded medications typically require a prescription from a doctor, and we work with healthcare professionals to make the best medications for the patient’s specific requirements. We recommend staying in close contact with your doctor and pharmacist to ensure the compounded medication is working effectively or if any additional tweaks need to be made.

What are some common uses of compounding?

woman applying hormone cream

Many patients who are allergic to certain ingredients or prefer to have alcohol-free or sugar-free medications can benefit from a compounded medication. In addition, we can remove unwanted preservatives and dyes, gluten and lactose, just to name a few. Another way we use compounding is to create tailored bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Hormone imbalances affect both men and women, and this is a safe and effective treatment that we can formulate to the exact specifications your body requires.

How can LeFave Pharmacy help?

So now that we’ve answered the how does compounding work question, all that’s left to do is discuss how we personally can help you! At our Michigan compounding pharmacy, we listen to you, look at the bigger picture of your overall health, and consult with you to make sure you’re getting exactly the right dosage strength and medication form. We are only a phone call away to offer support and guidance so you can make the best decisions for your health.

Now that you know the answer to “How does compounding work?”, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for your compounding needs. Do you have more burning questions about us? Check out more frequently asked questions about our Alpena Michigan pharmacy!