Can You Be Allergic To Medication?
A doctor-recommended prescription medication to treat a new or chronic condition can be a game-changer for long-term health. Prescription medications are highly potent, effective drugs for symptom management. However, taking medicine is not always smooth sailing, as some patients struggle with drug allergies. Most prescription drugs contain set ingredients, including dyes and preservatives. One or more of these ingredients may be an allergen that can lead to unpleasant symptoms or complications that limit treatment. With compounded medications, treatment without the risk of drug allergies is possible.
Understanding drug allergies
A drug allergy can be a frustrating hurdle, especially if a patient has finally found the solution to a medical issue. The immune system mistakes an ingredient or the entire drug for an invader and creates an immediate response. Some drug allergies may generate a chemical called immunoglobin E (IgE), leading to symptoms like hives, swelling, or even difficulty breathing. These are the more severe forms of allergens. Some allergens are milder, causing vomiting, nausea, rashes, or gastrointestinal distress. Due to the numerous ingredients that can be in a given prescription, the rate of drug allergies is relatively high. If left unaddressed, allergies can impact long-term treatment. Finding an alternative can be challenging, less effective, or have a higher risk of complications.
Can compounding medications help?
Thanks to compounding, patients may discover a safer alternative to drug allergies. Compounding is the process of creating a custom drug to meet the needs of an individual patient. The medication is made by a compounding pharmacy, with skilled pharmacists producing one-of-a-kind medicines for a patient using raw ingredients. Some compounding pharmacies also combine multiple prescriptions into a single-use form to address issues like polypharmacy. Compounding is on the rise thanks to the level of customization and control patients achieve.
Fewer allergens, more adherence
Compounding’s biggest advantage is the complete control of the drug's ingredients. The compounding pharmacy can, therefore, remove any allergens that may be affecting the patient. By removing dyes, preservatives, or other active ingredients, the patient can take the drug with minimal trouble. For the patient, this means improved medication adherence. There is no longer an immune response or gastrointestinal discomfort, leading to more consistent use. Medication adherence means a healthier patient and cost savings due to reduced medicine waste.
Fewer complications, more relief
The active ingredients may create some unpleasant side effects. The patient can not only treat the underlying issue but must also face unpleasant side effects. With compounding, the medical team can identify this issue and find an alternative drug. The team then creates a new solution with new active ingredients but without the allergen. This step means the patient can get the required treatment while having fewer complications. The compounding pharmacy can also change the formulation from pill to liquid, topical, lollipop, or other custom forms. This change can prevent other reactions like difficulty swallowing.
No longer allergic to treatment
Drug allergies can limit treatment due to unpleasant and potentially dangerous reactions. Some prescriptions can create allergies so severe that the patient needs medical attention. Allergens also limit treatment of the initial condition. Compounding opens the door to creating a safer alternative without the risky ingredients. Patients considering compounding should speak with a doctor or pharmacist first. The medical team can guide the best options for compounding.
