If you have reactions to certain types of allergens, you have to be very careful about what you consume. The severity of allergic reactions can vary; they can range from a short bout of minor itching to a full-blown episode of anaphylactic shock.

You also have to be very careful about the medication you take. Both pill and liquid forms of prescription and over-the-counter medications contain fillers, binders, and other substances that are made of ingredients, such as dyes, to which you may be allergic. This can make the medication that you are supposed to be taking to get well a potentially fatal treatment.

The Allergens in Medication

There is a wide range of allergens that are commonly found in the inactive ingredients that bind the active ingredients in medication together. Some of the most common allergens include:

• Gelatin
• Peanut oil derivatives
• Wheat
• Dairy
• Corn
• Potatoes
• Coconut

Are There Allergens in Your Prescription Medication?

Our compounding pharmacy can reformulate a prescription to exclude unwanted, nonessential ingredients, such as lactose, gluten, or a dye to which a patient is allergic. There are currently no federal requirements in place to specify which non-medicinal ingredients may have gluten. As a result, many medications may have any number of allergens as some of their ingredients.

Using a Compound Pharmacy

Filling a prescription with a compound pharmacist can be ideal for people with life-threatening allergies and for whom many of the brand-name medications that are commercially available may be dangerous. Physicians can provide prescriptions for compounded medications, which will be created at a compound pharmacy without the allergens and other types of ingredients that can compromise your well-being.

How is it Done?

The pharmacist can remove the component of the drug, such as a filler, that contains the allergen and they can deconstruct the medication down to its base parts to remake it into a drug that will be safer for you. In certain situations, a compound pharmacist can combine certain medications that contain an allergen with anti-allergens, like an antihistamine, to eliminate the effects of the offending ingredient.

If you have an intolerance to gluten or are allergic to peanuts or milk, you should take care that any medication you are prescribed does not contain those substances. Compounding pharmacies like Arena District Pharmacy can create customized drug mixtures that are designed with your allergens and food sensitivities in mind. Contact us today to see how we can compound the medication that will suit your needs.