Summer has arrived and that means loads of sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes. Yes, seasonal allergies are on the attack! But, what do you do when standard over-the-counter remedies don’t work and you only experience periodic relief from the normal prescription? It may be time to try a new approach to allergy relief.
How a Compound Pharmacist Can Help
The practice of compounding isn’t anything new, yet many people haven’t heard of it before. One reason may be because they simply never asked for a different approach to creating and regulating their medications. So, what is compounding?
Compounding is a unique way of creating a completely individual plan to a patient’s care. By working hand-in-hand with both the patient and their doctor, the pharmacist can make the entire process of prescribing and taking medications easier to manage.
For instance, if a patient finds that standard over-the-counter allergy medications only relieve some of their symptoms, but is reluctant to take several prescription medications, the pharmacist may be able to work with the doctor to create a tailored medicine that works better. This may include combining ingredients or even turning an oral medication into a topical one.
Allergy Relief is Available
Summertime is ripe with allergens. From pollen and grass to mold, smog and even an increase in dust mites, it seems like there is something to make you itch or sniffle everywhere you turn this time of the year. Depending on where you live, you may have to deal with even more allergens, causing anything from mild congestion to a full-blown allergic reaction that sends you to the ER. So what’s the answer?
If you find that your normal allergy medication isn’t cutting it, or those nose sprays and tablets are making you drowsy and listless, it may be time to plan a meeting with your doctor and your compound pharmacists. Together, this experienced team can come up with a plan that works.
First, your allergist will need to run some tests to determine exactly what you’re allergic to, and to what degree. Next, they will review your symptoms and write a prescription or two for medications they feel may be helpful.
Once you have a prescription in hand, take it to your compound pharmacist for review. If you have taken these medications before, be sure to tell the pharmacy expert how it worked and any side effects you may have experienced while taking it. If you find that one helped ease your congestion while another worked well to take care of those itchy eyes and skin, the pharmacist may be able to come up with a plan to combine the two in order to create a brand new medication aimed at offering relief.
In addition, your compound pharmacist may be able to offer some holistic tips for relieving your symptoms without the use of prescription drugs.
No matter how bad your symptoms, the pharmacist at Arena District Pharmacy is trained to solve the most complex problems. Understanding how different medications interact, he will work closely with your doctor to develop a plan that offers safe and effective treatment for all of your medical conditions – including those pesky allergies!
Want to learn more about how to stop your allergies from ruining your summer? Visit us at Arena District Pharmacy and speak with our compound pharmacist for assistance.