Read more about the article What is Nutrient Deficiency? 9 Common Types of Nutrient Deficiencies

What is Nutrient Deficiency? 9 Common Types of Nutrient Deficiencies

What is a Nutrient Deficiency?

Nutrient deficiency means the body is getting a very low amount of vital nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals are needed for our body to function properly. Poor diet and bad quality of foods is the main cause of the nutrient deficiency.

What are the Most Common Types of Nutrient Deficiencies?

1. Calcium Deficiency:

Calcium is an essential nutrient for the bones. The human body uses calcium to build bones and teeth. Calcium Deficiency can cause weak bones, hair fall, abnormal heart rhythm, etc. All the main functions of the body can collapse if the body does not get enough calcium.

2. Essential Fatty Acids Deficiency:

Fatty acid deficiencies are very rare and mostly occur in infants. It occurs when omega-3 consumption is too low. Fatty acid deficiencies cause growth disorders in infants and children.

3. Folic Acid Deficiency:

Folic acid is one of the many B vitamins that performs a very important role in making red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of the body. Low folic acid in the body can cause anemia. It is especially crucial during pregnancy, as women with low folic acid can have many complications.

4. Iron Deficiency:

Iron deficiencies occur when the body won’t have enough iron. Inadequate intake of iron-rich foods, bad iron absorption, loss of iron due to excess blood loss or during developmental levels in life consisting of adolescence, pregnancy, or breastfeeding can cause iron deficiency. Frequent tiredness and weakness, headache, dizziness or lightheadedness, shortness of breath,  pale or yellow skin are some of the symptoms of iron deficiency.

5. Magnesium Deficiency:

Magnesium is a very important mineral as it influences hundreds of metabolic reactions withinside the body that consists of regulating muscle and nerve function. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency consist of muscle cramps, unexplained numbness or tingling, and excessive blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms.

6. Vitamin A Deficiency:

Vitamin A (retinol, retinoic acid) plays a vital role in cell division, vision, and improving the immune system of the body. People suffering from vitamin A deficiency can suffer from severe diseases and infections that can lead to death. As children are more susceptible to infections, it is important that infants under the age of five get enough vitamin A in their diets or through supplements. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to night blindness, infertility, delayed growth, inflamed skin, and severe respiratory infection.

7. Vitamin B12 Deficiency:

Vitamin B12 is one of the 8 forms of B vitamins, vitamin B12 allows the shape of red blood cells, improves neurological function, and provides constructing blocks for DNA. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are similar to those of anemia, consisting of weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, pale skin, and frequent mood changes.

8. Vitamin C Deficiency:

Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and plays an important role in your body’s healing process. Vitamin C helps in the formation of hormones and amino acids that enables the body to effectively absorb iron. Vitamin C deficiency can lead to diseases called scurvy which causes inflammation and bleeding of gums, weakness, fatigue, rashes, and poor wound healing.

9. Vitamin D Deficiency:

Vitamin D is produced in our bodies when exposed to adequate quantities of UVB radiation from sunlight. Vitamin D’s key function is to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. Vitamin D Deficiency can lead to bone deformities or rickets in children and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.

The important way to prevent nutrient deficiencies is to eat necessary good quality food and maintain a good diet that helps to prevent nutrient deficiencies. Compounding medication can help people who cannot eat or swallow food to get vital nutrients. Compounding medication can be made in the form of creams, gels, troches, lozenges, drops, injections, capsules, etc.

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Read more about the article What is Arthritis? What Are The 5 Types of Arthritis?

What is Arthritis? What Are The 5 Types of Arthritis?

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis can be defined as swelling, pain, stiffness, and tenderness in one or more joints. There are more than a hundred kinds of different arthritis identified in the world, most of which are related to joint pain in the legs and knee. Joint pain can be defined as a place where 2 or more bones meet. Arthritis is known to get worsen with age.

What are the 5 Main Types of Arthritis Commonly Found in People?

1. Osteoarthritis:

Osteoarthritis is caused due to the malfunction or failure of the cartilage covering the ends of your joints, i.e. there’s no cushion and the bones start grinding against each other. In simple terms, you lose your body’s shock absorber.

The primary symptoms of osteoarthritis are severe pain and a grinding, popping, or clicking sound while you move your joints. It mainly happens when your joints are overused. Joint injuries, obesity or overweight, and old age are a few of the typical reasons for osteoarthritis.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease which means the parts of the body especially the joints are attacked by the immune system which leads to inflammation and severe joint pain. Blood checks can reveal an RA marker, confirming your doctor’s suspicions. The important symptoms of RA are joint ache and swelling to the point of physical deformity. All affected joints are usually on the same side of the body.

3. Psoriatic Arthritis:

Psoriatic arthritis (PA) is an autoimmune skin condition typically seen in people who’ve psoriasis. Psoriasis causes patchy, raised, red, and white areas of skin in the form of skin inflammation with scales often around the joints. Pain in the lower back, feet, ankles, and toes or fingers are the main signs of Psoriatic arthritis.

4. Fibromyalgia:

Fibromyalgia typically causes widespread musculoskeletal pain. Around 10-20% of humans with Rheumatoid arthritis also have fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is often accompanied by tiredness, depression, fatigue, memory, and mood issues. Fibromyalgia is treated using both medication and self-care strategies like meditation, yoga, etc. Podiatrists nowadays use pain management compounding medication to treat foot and joint pain, as it allows them to prepare customized medication and dosage for their patients.

5. Gout:

Gouty arthritis is caused by the build-up of uric acid crystals in the joint. The pain normally starts in the toe from where the pain spreads and moves up into the foot and ankle joint. People suffering from Gouty arthritis often wake up at night with immense pain as the toe is pushed out of position by the rapid swelling. Gout happens when your body makes more uric acid and your kidney cannot process that much uric acid all at once. Eating certain food and drink can raise uric acid levels in the body.

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Read more about the article What Are Compounded Creams? What are its Benefits and How Compounded Creams are Made?

What Are Compounded Creams? What are its Benefits and How Compounded Creams are Made?

What is Compounding?

Compounding can be defined as the process of making medicine from scratch by mixing different types of ingredients together. The compounding pharmacist in consultation with your doctor combines several basic ingredients to create a brand-new formula that is tailored made for your illness.

What Are Compounded Creams?

Compound creams are made by combining several ingredients together. It is directly applied to the affected area of the skin. Compound creams help in reducing pain and swelling, skin irritation, or reduce symptoms of certain systemic diseases.

They can be used exclusively for the treatment of local skin diseases such as psoriasis or used indirectly in the treatment of menopause.

What are the Benefits of Compounded Creams?

There are many benefits of using compounded creams especially in the treatment of skin-related conditions. For example, compared to oral or inhaled medications, face creams are more effective in treating local skin-related problems like sunburn or skin diseases.

Let us look at the major benefits of using compounded creams:

1. Ability to Combine Medications:

Compounding pharmacists usually mix multiple drugs into the same topical cream which makes it easier to comply with multilateral treatment plans. Patients don’t have to apply multiple creams at different times of the day, instead, they can use one cream with multiple ingredients.

2. Avoid First Pass Metabolism (FPM):

First Pass Metabolism (FPM) can be avoided by using topical creams. FPM refers to the fact that the human body must process certain drugs or medication through the liver before it becomes effective. Avoiding FPM in your medication can reduce the risk of serious liver complications in the future.

3. Improve Usability

The use of topical compounded creams can improve patient compliance, wherein the patient follows the prescribed and dispensed regimen as prescribed by the doctor. The patient’s non-compliance is often one of the prime reasons for treatment failure. This is especially true for patients who are anxious or stressed because they anticipate that oral or injected medications will have unwanted side effects, such as nausea or dizziness. Creams often don’t have any side effects and it’s very easy to apply in the affected area. Compounded creams help doctors to customize the ingredients and dosage of the medication.

4. Improve Effectiveness

Sometimes, the combination of ingredients has little to do with convenience and more to do with the effectiveness of the treatment. For example, topical analgesics may contain both anesthetic agents to relieve pain and anti-inflammatory agents to relieve muscle spasms and edema. Other formulas may contain both steroids and antibiotics to reduce inflammation and treat infections. Thus, making compounded creams more effective than other commercially available creams

How Compounded Creams Are Made?

One of the most common formula requirements is the ingredients of the cream. To make the cream, the compounding pharmacist combines several inactive and active ingredients which are FDA approved. The exact ingredients depend on the needs of the individual for whom the customized cream is made. The compounding pharmacist at VIOS consults with your physician who in turn assesses your body and prescribes the ingredients and dosage.

Let us look at the step-by-step process of making compounded creams:

Step 1:

First, the compounding pharmacist or technician will collect all the materials needed to formulate the medicine. For creams, this is usually around 2-3 active ingredients.

Step 2:

The technician then begins to weigh the exact amount or quantity of active ingredients needed for the formulation.

Step 3:

After weighing all the ingredients, they are combined with mortar and pestle. Then a geometric dilution process is initiated wherein small and equal quantities of powder are combined one by one to ensure that all the powders are equally and evenly distributed.

Step 4:

After all the powders are combined, the technician mixes them with the cream base and wetting agent in an unguator jar, then connects the unguator jar to an Unguator machine (a machine that thoroughly mixes the cream) and stirs it for about five minutes.

Step 5:

The cream in the Unguator jar is removed and transferred to a topi-click dispenser. The compounding pharmacist thoroughly checks and labels it, after which it is available for patient’s use.

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Read more about the article What are the Most Common Types of Compounding Formulas?

What are the Most Common Types of Compounding Formulas?

Compounding medication helps the patient to receive individual drug treatments according to their specific needs, which is very useful when the drug dosage or administration method needs to be changed.

Let us look at the 5 most common types of compounding formulas:

1. Scar Creams:

Compounding creams are mainly used by doctors to treat patients who have scars and require personalized medication. As each individual have different type of skin conditions and severity, commercially available creams may not be as effective in some people and in some cases, it can also cause an allergic reaction. Compounding allows the dermatologist to make highly effective customized medication for the treatment of scars in the form of creams.

2. Rapid Dissolve Tablets:

Rapidly dissolving tablets (RDT), sometimes called orally dissolving tablets (ODT), dissolve quickly when placed under or on the tongue. Compounding medication in the form of rapidly dissolving tablets (RDT) helps patients (including pets) who cannot chew or swallow on their own. Most mixtures only take a few seconds to completely dissolve, which makes it easy to take the medication.

3. Oral Liquid Vehicles

Oral liquid Vehicle (OLV) can be defined as compounded medication in the form of liquid. This liquid form of medication is especially useful for infants, the elderly, and pets who have difficulty swallowing pills.

4. Hormone Supplements:

Hormone supplements help in balancing & improving hormonal levels in the body. They are commonly used to treat diseases such as menopause, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, gender reassignment, and certain reproductive disorders. There are two forms of hormones: synthetic and natural. Most of the hormones are available in commercially available formulas, the doses don’t always match a patient’s medical condition or body needs.

5. Oral Lozenges:

The term oral lozenge is used to define dosage forms that are prepared to slowly dissolve in the mouth primarily within the oral cavity. It can contain an anesthetic, a demulcent, or an antiseptic. Lozenges are flavored to taste good and contain one or more active ingredients and help patients a pleasant and alternative dosage form who are unable to swallow other types of solid dosage forms.

Compounding allows doctors and pharmacists to micro-adjust the dose and changes the delivery format that suits best for the patient. Bioidentical hormones are made by a compounding pharmacist as per the prescription provided by the patient’s doctor. Bioidentical hormones resemble the hormones created by the human body leading to reduced side effects and high efficacy.

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Read more about the article What are the Medical Situations That Call for the Use of Compounded Medications?

What are the Medical Situations That Call for the Use of Compounded Medications?

What is Compounding Medication?

A compounding medication can be described as a medicinal drug mainly formulated for individuals who require personalized medication. The compounding pharmacist combines various active ingredients in small quantities to make a compounding remedy.

Here are 5 medical situations that call for the usage of compounded medications:

1. Newborn Infants or Children:

Newborn infants and young children’s bodies are extremely sensitive, they need special care when administering medicines. In the case of neonatal and preemie care, they need customized medication, as infants’ livers and kidneys are not developed enough to process medicines effectively. Compounding medication allows the pediatrician to prescribe tailored made medicinal combinations for each child’s medicinal needs. Compounding also allows them to increase or decrease the dosage of the medication, add flavors in them and change the form of medication.

2. Patients Over 70:

Like babies and children, elderly patients have special medical needs. They are usually more sensitive to side effects and complications, especially to commercially available drugs. This is simply because the aging body must first work harder to get rid of drugs. People with dementia and cognitive impairment may also benefit from changing the dosage form, especially if they cannot or do not want to swallow. Compounding helps medicines to be tailored made for each individual patient’s need and prepared in the form of creams, injections, liquid, capsules, patches, etc.

3. Allergies or Sensitivities

One of the most common complex diseases requiring medical treatment is allergies and hypersensitivity reactions. Although most commercially available drugs have been tested to cause a reaction in as few people as possible, the possibility of allergic reactions and hypersensitivity reactions still exists. The reaction can be as simple as mild itching or a complex allergic reaction. In either case, treatment can become dangerous and undesirable.

Through compounding, the pharmacist can remove unpleasant aids or additives and break down the medicine making it safer, reliable, and less likely to trigger an allergic response. In some cases, allergy sufferers can also benefit from the combination of certain drugs and anti-allergens. Dermatological compounding medications are becoming increasingly popular among and doctors and patients due to their advantages over other commercially available medicines.

4. Breastfeeding Mothers:

Treating breastfeeding mothers for health-related problems is not always easy. Doctors often try to find a treatment that prevents or restricts the drug from entering the bloodstream and thus into breast milk. Compounding helps doctors to change the dosage format rather than the medicine. For example, customized medication in the form of topical cream or patches can be beneficial without affecting the systemic circulation.

5. Hospice and End-of-Life Care

Patients who need both hospice and end-of-life care require a treatment method that is different from daily patient care. Although the fear of addiction or sedatives may be real for patients who will survive their illness, it is not a problem for patients who are dying. Therefore, the dose is usually increased to a level that makes the patient feel comfortable without causing additional illness. Compounded medications for end-of-life care addresses issues by providing whatever dosage the patient needs in whatever format he or she requires.

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Read more about the article What is Acne and What are the Causes & Types of Acne? Why Do You Need Dermatology Compounding for Acne?

What is Acne and What are the Causes & Types of Acne? Why Do You Need Dermatology Compounding for Acne?

What is Acne?

Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when the hair follicles under the skin are blocked due to oil, dirt, or dead skin. Acne most often appears on the face, but it may also appear on the back, chest, and shoulders. For most people, acne disappears by the age of 30, but some people in their 40s and 50s still have these acne-related problems.

What are the Causes of Acne?

Acne occurs when small holes in the skin called hair follicles are blocked. Glands are attached to hair follicles, which are small holes in the skin that make up individual hairs. The sebaceous glands lubricate the hair and skin, so they don’t dry out. In acne, the glands begin to produce too much sebum.

Excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells, both of which can form blockages in hair follicles. If the blocked hair follicle is close to the surface of the skin, it will bulge out and form a white patch. In addition, clog or pores in the opening of hair follicles causes blackheads. Normally, harmless bacteria living on the skin can contaminate and infect blocked hair follicles, causing papules, pustules, nodules, or cysts.

Hormonal changes due to androgens, diet & consumption of certain medication can also cause acne.

What are the Different Types of Acne?

1. Papules:

Papules are small red bumps that form when oil or excess skin cells clog the pores and mix with bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes or Propionibacterium acnes (previously known as Propionibacterium acnes) on the skin. Bacteria invade surrounding skin tissues and cause inflammation. Papules do not contain pus.

2. Pustules:

Pustules are small, raised bumps with white in the middle and red, inflamed skin around them. They usually appear in groups on the chest, face, or back. Pustules form when clogged pores are infected, but hormonal change can also cause pustules. They are like papules, except that the pustules contain a yellow liquid called pus. Cracked pustules can spread bacteria, so don’t try to squeeze, or squeeze them. Only a doctor can safely remove pustules.

 3. Nodules:

Nodular papules are red or flesh-colored bumps located deep on the surface of the skin. Nodular acne is usually caused by Propionibacterium acnes, which can cause painful infections deep in the pores.

4. Cysts:

Cystic acne is the maximum intense shape of acne and is likewise the result of contamination deep inside the skin. Acne cysts are large, red, inflamed, painful, and pus crammed. Cysts are softer than nodules due to the fact they may be pus-crammed and regularly burst, infecting the encircling skin.

Why Do You Need Dermatology Compounding for Acne?

In dermatology practice, one can see many acne patients of different ages, races, sex, skin type, and textures. Everyone has different acne-like conditions with varying degrees of severity and stages. Therefore, in addition to the type of acne, dermatologists also need to evaluate the patient’s entire medical history to determine the best course of action for the treatment of acne which would be unique to the individual patient’s needs.

Commercially available medication for acne treatment is not made for individual patient’s unique needs and dermatologists cannot change the dosage or ingredients used in these commercially available medications. Many patients would not respond well to these commercially available acne medications, as they have different skin types and conditions.

Compounding medication can solve this problem. Dermatologists can significantly enhance patient adherence and satisfaction as well as treatment outcome with dermatological compounding medications.

Benefits of Using Dermatological Compounding Medication for Acne Treatment:

  • The compounding medication allows the dermatologist to give personalized care for acne patients. They can choose the most suitable foundation or create a customized combination foundation for the patient’s skin. 
  • In addition, the base for acne is specially formulated to increase the effectiveness of the active pharmaceutical ingredients. The compounding pharmacist at VIOS will work with your doctor to tailor individual prescriptions for you and your skin’s specific needs.
  • Dermatologists work with the compounding pharmacist to convert a variety of oral medications into an easy-to-take dosage form.
  • Compounding medication can help dermatologists to make sure that the patient’s medicine does not contain gluten, sugar, lactose, colors, or preservatives.       
  • Proven effective novel ingredients can be added to the medication to improve the healing process like niacinamide.
  • The dermatological compounding medication allows the dermatologist to increase or decrease the dosage of the acne medication during any phase of the treatment. This improves the efficacy and eliminates any potential side effects.
  • Affordability of the compounded medication is less as the patient pays for one custom prepared acne medication rather than two or more commercially available medications.
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Read more about the article What is Compounding Medication? Why it is Important for Women’s Hormonal Health?

What is Compounding Medication? Why it is Important for Women’s Hormonal Health?

What is Compounding Medication?

A compounding medication can be defined as a medicine specially formulated for individuals according to his/her doctor’s prescription. Just like baking a cake, in the manufacture of compounding medication, one or more active ingredients are mixed in a certain amount to make compounding medication.

General Benefits of Compounding Medication:

1. Allowing Access to Discontinued Medications

Large producers stop manufacturing drugs which makes it tough for the patients who nonetheless want those medicines. Compounding can help in recreating these discontinued medications.

2. Making Medication Easier for Use

Some medicines have a very unpleasant taste, making it difficult for patients to take them as prescribed. Compounding can help create personalized prescriptions from scratch based on the taste of the patient. This is especially useful for patients who may not be taking medication such as children, elderly patients, and even pets.

3. Allowing Alternative Dosage Forms

Compounding medication can be created in different dosage forms. Patients who find it difficult to swallow pills can easily take the medicine in liquid form. Compounding medications come in the form of liquids, pills, topical creams, patches, gel, or injectables.

4. Making Medication Allergy-Friendly

Some patients who are intolerant to dyes, lactose, gluten, or alcohol have adverse reactions when taking certain medications. In other cases, commercially available drugs may contain excipients, such as fillers and preservatives, which patients cannot tolerate due to sensitivity or allergies to these substances. Compound pharmacists can make formulas that do not contain harmful ingredients so that patients can still receive adequate treatment.

What is the Role of Compounding in Hormone Therapy (HT)?

Patients receiving hormone therapy (HT) can take combined supplements. When the production of certain hormones is insufficient, doctors will prescribe bio-homogeneous hormones to supplement the body for such treatments. Bioidentical hormones are made to correspond to the molecular structure of your body’s hormones. Every woman is different and deserves this treatment. Hormone levels vary from person to person. only for you.

Different compounds used in bioidentical compounding medication are as follows:

  1. Estrogen (combination of estriol and estradiol)
  2. Testosterone
  3. Progesterone
  4. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

Why Compounding Your Medications is Important for Women’s Hormonal Health?

Menopause:

A woman has reached menopause when woman’s ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone and because of this, she has not had a period for one year. It is a natural process but can include other physical symptoms. Compounded bioidentical hormone therapy is very effective for women suffering from menopause.

Infertility:

Due to age and hormonal changes many women suffer from infertility. Compounded medication can be used to treat women suffering from infertility.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder in which a woman’s hormones are out of balance leading to irregular periods or no periods at all and difficulty getting pregnant because of irregular ovulation. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) with compounding medication can help restore the hormonal balance of the body.

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency:

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), also known as premature ovarian failure occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop working normally before she turns 40. It is different than premature menopause. Women suffering from POI experience an irregular menstrual period. It is often caused by chromosomal abnormalities other hormonal issues in the body. Compounding medications are very effective in the treatment of primary ovarian insufficiency in women.

Every woman has unique hormonal make-up and body needs; so being able to change the ingredients based on a women’s particular needs makes them much more effective than other hormonal therapy.

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Read more about the article What is a Topical Drug Delivery System and Its 5 Main Benefits?

What is a Topical Drug Delivery System and Its 5 Main Benefits?

Topically delivered drugs should be handled very carefully as incorrect dosage can affect a patient’s health and cause serious side effects. The effectiveness of the drug can also get compromised if the drug is not handled carefully.

When the topical drug is applied to the skin tissue, most of the topical drug delivery systems have a systematic or local impact when reaching the body’s circulation system. The correct formulation is very important for a successful topical drug delivery system.

What is a Topical Drug Delivery System?

A topical drug delivery system is a way to deliver medication to the body through the skin. The medication is typically applied onto a selected part of the body, from where it gets absorbed into the body and into the bloodstream. Gels, lotions, powders, transdermal patches, foams, creams, and ointments are some of the common forms of topical medication.

What are the 5 Benefits of A Topical Drug Delivery System?

1. Substitute for Oral Administeration of Medicine:

Many patients struggle with oral drug administration of medicines like pills or tablets. Some risk vomiting, while others find it difficult to swallow tablets which is a common problem among infants or younger kids who aren’t used to swallowing tablets. Parents often find it very hard to get their kids to take the medication in the form of pills & tablets. This ultimately leads to wastage of medicine and slower recovery times. On the other hand, usage of topical medication helps parents to avoid all these problems and help their kids to take the medication and recover quickly.

2. Low Risk of Medication Abuse:

Medication administered via tablets or injections can easily be abused. Drug abuse is a far too common occurrence among patients, specifically with pain management medications. Such abuse can result in addiction. On the other hand, administering medication via ointments or creams greatly lowers the risk of such abuse.

3. Low Risk of Gastrointestinal Difficulties

Oral medication in the form of tablet and pills can cause a variety of digestive side effects as the rate of absorption of medication, differ from patient to patient. An individual who encounters these often painful side effects may opt to terminate their medication altogether.

A topical drug delivery system overcomes this limitation, as the medication is applied to the skin and directly gets absorbed from the skin into the bloodstream, improving the patient’s recovery process.

4. Super Easy Administration Process:

Every person has a fear of something be it, infants, or adults. The most common fear among people is the fear of injections or of swallowing a tablet. However, few are fearful of rubbing an ointment on their skin. For this reason, the doctor or physician finds it easier to inspire their patients to take their medication in the form of topical drug delivery systems like transdermal patches, cream, ointments. etc. As a patient, you will also find it easier to manage the use of topical medication at home compare to medication in the form of pills, tablets, and injections.

5. Minimizing Hospital Congestion:

There was a time when hospitals administered many medicines in the form of injection and used to admit their patient for this purpose, leading to maximum bed capacity. Today, if the patient’s condition isn’t serious, he/she can walk into a hospital and walk out again in a short time with his/her topical medication. This leaves hospital beds free to cater to far more critical & serious cases and reduces both patient medical costs and hospital resources.

Conclusion:

Topical drug delivery systems have absolutely changed the way we look at medication. More and more doctors, physicians, dermatologists, podiatrists, etc., and various other medical institutions are adopting this form of medicine to improve their service to patients.

Many doctors are prescribing compounding medication in the form of a topical drug delivery system which helps them to control the ingredients and dosage used in the medicines and which can be customized as per individual patient’s needs.

This is largely because topical medication has more advantages than drawbacks and administration of medicines through the route of skin is more ideal, as it produces both systematic and local effects.

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Read more about the article What Are Transdermal Patches? How to Apply Transdermal Patches?

What Are Transdermal Patches? How to Apply Transdermal Patches?

What Are Transdermal Patches?

Transdermal patches can be defined as a medicated patch that is placed on the skin as a way to deliver drugs to the body. Transdermal patches help to deliver a specific and fixed dose of medication over a period of time through the skin and into the bloodstream.

Following are some of the common drugs that are administered transdermally:

  • Nitroglycerine (Antianginal)
  • Clonidine (Blood Pressure Medication)
  • Rivastigmine (Alzheimer’s treatment)
  • Testosterone & Estrogen
  • Some Types of Contraceptive Medication
  • Daytrana (Transdermal Ritalin)
  • Nicotine
  • Ensam (Antidepressant)
  • Buprenorphine (Opioid)
  • Scopolamine (Anti-Nausea)
  • Fentanyl (Opioid)

Transdermal patches can also be customized for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills or tablets. A compounding pharmacy can make customized transdermal patches by including specific ingredients as prescribed by your doctor or physician. Currently, with the increased consumer interest in healthy-looking skin, most of the modern consumers are now using cosmetic compounding medication in the form of a transdermal patch as they supply multiple benefits with minimal effort.

How Do Transdermal Patches Work?

Transdermal patches offer a non-invasive and painless method of drug delivery by providing a consistent therapeutic dosage over a predetermined time period.

Transdermal patches are placed on the affected area of the skin and the medicine is delivered topically, wherein they’re absorbed by the skin and into the bloodstream. The patch provides a consistent and controlled release of the medication into the patient’s bloodstream through the skin. The length of wear time, the strength, and the amount of medicine delivered may vary from patch to patch.

A transdermal patch acts as a drug delivery carrier, holding the medicine until the point of application. At the point of application, the adhesive present in the patches attaches itself to the skin. This allows the medicine present in the patch access to the skin, where permeation begins.

Once the transdermal patch is applied, it continues to administer the medicine until either the medicine is fully absorbed, or the patch is removed.

How to Apply a Transdermal Patch?

The application transdermal patch application differs from system to system. Here is the basic guide to applying a transdermal patch.

1. Wash and Clean your Hands & Clean the Area Where the Patch will be Applied:

As patches are packed into sterile pouches during their manufacturing phase, it is imperative to wash your hand in order to remove any impurities. A dry and clean application area in the skin will help the patch adhesive to easily stick to the skin.

2. Hold the Patch Properly:

Hold the patch in such a way that the plastic backing is facing you. This aligns the patch such that the adhesive is facing down, which would make it easier for you to apply it to your skin.

3. Carefully Take Off One Side of the Patch Backing:

Don’t touch the exposed patch, hold the other side of the patch with intact backing as a handle.

4. Apply the Exposed Half of the Patch Into Your Skin:

Be still and make use of the liner as a handle to ensure the adhesive side of the patch is facing down. Now apply the exposed part of the patch to the application area of your skin.

5. Apply Some Pressure & Smoothen the Patch:

Apply some light pressure with your fingers to smoothen the patch and remove any air bubbles. This ensures that the patch is properly stuck to your skin.

6. Peel off the Other Side of the Patch:

Now fold back the other side of the transdermal patch by holding onto the remaining piece of plastic backing. Then, remove the plastic and smoothen it across the skin. Press it to ensure there is good contact across the patch’s full surface area.

7. Wash Hand:

Now wash your hand with soap & water to remove any adhesive that remains on your hand.

8. Removing the Patch:

It is imperative to safely dispose of the patch by folding and pressing the adhesive side together. The skin that was covered with the patch should be properly cleaned with soap and water. The application area of the skin may appear red for some time. If the redness does not go away after some hours, you must contact your doctor, as this could be a reaction to the patch adhesive.

The body has a consistent supply of the necessary medication when the medications are administered through transdermal patches. The patient does not have to remember to take their medicine orally or at a certain time of day; instead, they can just put the patch on once, and it stays there for the length of the dose with minimal side effects.

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What is Topical Medication? 11 Most Common Types of Topical Medication

What is Topical Medication?

Topical medication can be defined as the application of medicine on the skin or mucous membranes that allow it to go into the body and bring relief to body pain and other issues in the affected part of the body. Topical medication can be used to nourish the pores and skin to protect it from harm.

What Are the Types of Topical Medications?

1. Paste:

Pastes include a mixture of various ointments and powders. Powdered medicines or ointments can be converted into pastes to prevent any aspirating dirt for the duration of application; they‘re also harder to rub it off from the skin. Zinc oxide, a diaper rash cream, is a great example of a paste that is tough to simply wipe away.

Topical medication in the form of paste can also deal with oral wounds; they stick to the mucous membranes and create a barrier that isn’t easily washed away through saliva. This is ideal while treating canker sores.

2. Ointment:

Ointments can be defined as a mixture of oily fat-based compositions that are applied directly to the skin. The main purpose of ointment is to have an occlusive effect, which means the ointment stays on top of the skin, rather than being absorbed right away. This occlusion effect offers more protection against moisture loss. Common ingredients found in ointments include petroleum and mineral oil. Example: healing ointments, fatty antiseptic ointments, etc.

3. Oil:

Oils are manufactured from fats that are liquid at room temperature and are used as additives in massage oils, for oil baths, like essential oils, peppermint oil, etc.

4. Creams:

Creams are a mixture of fats and water that can easily spread when applied to the body. As fats and water usually do not mix, an emulsifying agent is added to combine those ingredients keeping them stable.

5. Lotions:

The lotion is a thick, smooth liquid preparation with low viscosity, designed to be applied to the skin. Most formulations include oil and water with an emulsifier, like alcohol, to make the active medical substances soluble.

It is essential to note that medicated lotions aren’t like cosmetic hydrating lotions; they usually have a better water content or decrease oil content, making them more drying. Lotions are great for patients who want to treat large areas of the skin because it spread quickly and easily.

6. Gels:

Gels can be defined as a special type of water-based cream that is transparent and is made from cellulose ethers; primarily of thickeners like starch that binds water and active ingredients; all then combined with a mixture of alcohol.

Most gels include alcohol or similar ingredients that evaporate quicker than water; this makes them a bit drying, but also improves comfort by leaving no greasy or sticky coating after application. Example: Gels for relieving pain, anti-itching agents, etc.

7. Tinctures:

Tinctures are topical medicines in liquid form. They are made by dissolving or diluting dried extracts, regularly of plant material. Alcohol is generally used as a solvent. One famous example is the tincture of iodine that is used for disinfecting wounds.

8. Powders:

Powders are usually sprinkled on the surface of the affected area of the skin and are basically the same drug found in pills and capsules which are crushed in powder form. In addition to their solid active ingredient, they also can include carrier substances (which include talc). The powder has a drying effect and forms a thin film that protects the skin. For example, powders are used to treat itching or fungal infections like medicated talcum powder.

9. Shake Lotions:

Shake lotions can be defined as skincare products made from a combination of liquids and solids. Solids make up almost 50% of the product which is why they can be considered as a type of “liquid powder.” They contain very little to no fat.

Example: Person who has chickenpox and shingles, this white shake lotion with zinc is used to dry out the skin blisters. Because the liquid and powder will separate over time, you need to shake these lotions into suspension before every use.

10. Spray:

Some medicines can be applied to the skin or mucous membranes as a spray. Sprays are easy to use and give very efficient and quick relief. Sprays can be used for treating wounds, disinfection, or for decreasing swelling withinside the nasal mucous membranes, etc.

11. Patches:

Medicines that are supposed to enter the body over a specific period can be applied with the help of a patch. A patch can release a medicinal drug for a particular quantity of time. These types of medicinal patches are also called transdermal therapeutic systems.

All the above-mentioned topical medications are commercially available which may or may not be suitable for everyone. For some people, it can cause skin irritation and serious allergies.

A compounding pharmacist can make customized medication in any form you like and one which is suitable to your body. The compounding pharmacist at VIOS will consult with your doctor or dermatologist and ensure that you receive your dermatological compounding medication in a formulation that gives the best delivery method and protection to your skin.

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