Medici Medical Centre, Suite 1, 15 Scott Street, 

Toowoomba, QLD 4350

Medici Medical Centre, Suite 1, 15 Scott Street, 

Toowoomba, QLD 4350

Compounding combines art with the latest medical knowledge and science to prepare a customised medication to meet the patient’s specific needs. We prepare a product from the raw ingredients and tailor makes it to suit both the practitioner and patient requirements. The demand for professional compounded medication has increased as practitioners have realised that the limited number of strengths and dosage forms that are commercially available do not meet the needs of many patients and that a compounded medication is more compliant.

At one time, nearly all prescriptions were compounded. With the introduction of mass drug manufacturing in the 1950s and 60s, compounding rapidly declined. The pharmacist’s role as a preparer of medications quickly changed to that of a dispenser of manufactured dosage forms, and most pharmacists no longer were trained to compound medications. However, the “one-size-fits-all” nature of many mass-produced medications meant that some patients’ needs were not being met.

Compounding allows the patient to get the most from their medication. You or your child may have experienced the following:

  *  Difficulty in swallowing tablets and requires a different route of administration.

  *  Have Allergies or sensitivites to certain excipients founds in commercial.

  *  A drug once made is now commercially unavailable or discontinued.

  *  A drug not made in the correct strength for your needs.

We offer unique medication and dosage alternatives in the form of transdermal creams and gels, troches, suppositories, capsules, liquids and suspensions.

Our Compounding Pharmacists and Technicians are fully trained by PCCA (Professional Compounding Chemists of Australia) and are there to help meet your unique needs and optimise your health and wellbeing.

What is Compounding?

These conditions affect millions of women and men. As the number of hormone-related treatment has grown, so has the mass production of pills, patches and creams by the drug industry. However, every body is different and has its own unique needs, but commercially manufactured products tend to be “one-size-fits-all,” and do not always account for the differences between individuals.

All the Bio-Identical hormones we compound are prescription only. Contact the compounding pharmacist at Scott Street Pharmacy for more information.

For Men:

*  Erectile dysfunction

*  Reduced muscle mass

*  Heart disease

*  Atherosclerosis

*  Osteoporosis

*  Depression & Anxiety

*  Disturbed Sleep

*  Insomnia

*  Fatigue

*  Memory impairment

*  Prostate problems

*  Reduced cognitive function

*  Decreased libido

*  Low sperm count

*  Irritability

*  Weakness

Compounding of Bio-identical hormones is an alternative to the synthetic hormones that are commercially available. Bio-identical hormones have the exact same chemical structure as the hormones we produce in our bodies thus making them “Bio-identical” or “Natural”. The body recognises them and allows them to mimic the function of the hormones the body produces on its own.  These hormones are naturally found in the yam plant and soy plant.

Are your hormones out of balance?

Hormones have a powerful effect on our body and as we get older our hormones become unbalanced and affects many areas of our health, including mood, metabolism, and sexual and reproductive organs. If your hormones become unbalanced, whether due to menopause, andropause or other factors, you may end up feeling like a stranger in your own skin. Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a way to restore balance and help you feel like yourself again.

BHRT is most often prescribed to ease the symptoms of menopause and andropause, but it also can be used to treat a variety of conditions that women and men of all ages may experience.

Bio-identical Hormones for Men and Women may help in:

*  Preventing Osteoporosis and restoring bone strength

*  Maintain greater muscle mass and strength

*  Protect against heart attack and stroke

*  Maintain the health and integrity of the urinary system

*  Improve Cholesterol Levels

*  Alleviate hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness

*  Reducing the risk of depression

*  Reduce the risk of some cancers

Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Menopause:

What is Menopause?

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive life. It is sometimes referred by many as ‘The change of life”.  Menopause is when the eggs are no longer produced by the ovary and the menstrual period ceases. The ovaries no longer produce progesterone and estrogen. When a woman has not had a period for a consecutive 12 months it is considered post-menopausal. Most women experience menopause between the ages of 45-55 years. Menopause can start earlier at around the age of 40-45 years due to a dysfunction of the ovaries or a removal of the ovaries. This could be as a result of cancer. Pre-menopause refers to the time leading up to menopause, the symptoms can include irregular periods, heavy or lighter periods for a shorter or longer duration. During Menopause and Pre-menopause a woman may start to experience hot flushes, night sweats, aches and pains, fatigue, irritability, breast tenderness and bloating.

BHRT is the preferred choice when it comes to all stages of Menopause. After a blood or saliva test your Hormone Doctor will prescribe the amount of hormones your body needs and only replaces what is lost through these life changing experiences.

Andropause:

What is Andropause?

Just like women experiencing menopause, men also experience their own version called Andropause. It affects their lives just the same. During Andropause a man’s DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) and other male hormones slowly declines starting at the age of 40. The decline of these hormones isn’t just due to aging but diet, lifestyle, exercise and stress are also major causes.  A blood or saliva test can be done to measure the hormone levels and determine if BHRT is necessary.

Menopause and Andropause

Fibrocystic breasts, Weight Gain, Heavy or Irregular Bleeding, Hot flushes, Anxiety, Mood swings, Breast tenderness, Sleep Disturbances/Insomnia, Cramps, Fluid Retention, Breakthrough Bleeding, Arthritis, Oestoporosis, decreased libido, pain and inflammation, nervousness.

Too Much: 

Depression, Headaches, Irritability, Breast tenderness, Fatigue.

Function:

Progesterone

Too Little: Fatigue, Decreased Sex Drive.

Cortisol

If you think you are suffering from a hormone imbalance our Compounding Pharmacist can provide you with a Hormone Evaluation Form and saliva hormone test kit from Nutripath Integrative Pathology services. The patient completes the test at home and sends it off to Nutripath pathology. The patients brings back the completed Hormone Evaluation form and the pharmacist then awaits the results from Nutripath. From these results together with the Hormone Evaluation Form, The Practitioner and Compounding Pharmacist can determine the course of treatment and BHRT treatment suitable for you.

Hormone Evaluation & Saliva Testing

Hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) is often the thyroid condition that many people suffer from. It occurs when the thyroid gland in underactive and fails to make enough hormones. The thyroid gland secretes hormones to regulate how your body cell’s use energy from food, a process called metabolism. Your metabolism affects your body’s temperature, heartbeat and how well you burn calories. If your body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones your body will slow down, making less energy and become sluggish. The treatment for this condition is life-long thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

The pituitary gland (located in the brain) prompts the thyroid to make its hormones by releasing thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The thyroid gland secretes 2 essential hormones, Thyroxine (T4) and Liothyronin (T3). T4 converts to T3 in the body. Often when commercially made synthetic T4 is prescribed the patients remains symptomatic due to the body unsuccessfully converting T4 to T3. This requires T3 to be prescribed to optimise the patient’s health and minimise symptoms. Often the commercially made T3 is not suitable as it immediately releases the hormones, resulting in symptoms of hyperthyroidism. These symptoms include racing heart, weakness, tiredness, nervousness, sweaty, itching/red skin, hair loss and loss of weight.

Findings suggest that the administration of both T3 and T4 might be a more suitable thyroid replacement therapy than T4 alone.

Natural Thyroid contains a fixed ratio of T3, T4.  Speak to the compounding pharmacist at Scott Street Pharmacy for more information.

A Hormone Evaluation and Blood Test can be done to determine if you are suffering from a thyroid disorder.

Who Is at Risk for Hypothyroidism?

Women, particularly older women, are more likely to develop hypothyroidism than men. You are also more likely to develop hypothyroidism if you have a close family member with an autoimmune disease.

Other risk factors include:

 Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:

*  Changes in the menstrual cycle

*  Constipation

*  Depression and anxiety

*  Dry hair and hair loss

*  Dry skin

*  Fatigue

*  Cold and heat intolerance

*  Fluid retention

*  Slow heart rate

*  Aching muscles and joints

*  Swelling of the thyroid gland (goiter)

*  Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight

*  Carpal tunnel syndrome

Thyroid:

Too Little: Weight Gain, Depression, Headaches, Fatigue, Decreased Sex Drive

Too Much: Sleep Disturbances/Insomnia, Hair Loss (Fluctuating)

Speak to your Doctor today about how you can get your Thyroid Hormones Tested.

Natural Thyroid Hormone Therapy

Dermatology

The Laboratory at Scott Street Pharmacy can treat many skin conditions. We have an extensive list of ingredients that can be added to a preparation to treat your skin condition and concerns. We compound Prescription Only and Non-prescription medicated preparations.

We can treat:

*  Acne

*  Psoriasis

*  Eczema

*  Rosacea
*  Dermatitis
*  Pigmentation

*  Sunburn

*  Radiation Burns

*  Anti-fungals

*  Warts

*  Viral Infections

Cosmeceuticals

There are many desirable aspects of growing older – experience, wisdom and maturity. But the physical signs are much less desirable and unwanted – the loss of elasticity in the skin, age spots, crow’s feet and other wrinkles that are inevitable as the skin begins to age.

Though the aging of skin can’t be halted, in many cases it can be slowed down. There are many factors that cause the wrinkling and loss of elasticity that come with age. These factors include:

*  Damage from sun, cold or wind

*  Stress

*  Aging

*  Smoking

*  Fatigue

*  Poor nutrition

*  Environmental irritants such as years of harsh makeup, soaps or detergent and pollution.

Over the years these assaults leads to the signs of aging. It’s virtually impossible to avoid coming into contact with many of these skin-devastating factors. Everyone has been exposed to the sun at some point. All of us have experienced stress and fatigue. While we can’t turn back the clock, we can begin to protect against further damage, and even rejuvenate skin that already has begun to age.

How? Through innovative cosmeceutical products.

Cosmeceutical products provide cosmetic results by using scientific research and pharmaceutical-grade ingredients to improve the appearance of skin. Custom-prepared cosmeceutical creams can soothe and diminish the appearance of skin irritations, rashes, redness and inflammation. They also may be useful for soothing dry, cracked skin, improving moisturisation, exfoliation and treating blemishes and problem areas. Most importantly, they begin to protect your skin from the harmful, external factors of aging.

Ingredients We Use:

Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA): Salicylic acid

Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA): Glycolic acid, Lactic acid and 

Poly Hydroxy Acids (PHA): Gluconolactone

Antioxidants: Idebenone, Alpha-lipoic acid, Organic White Tea, 

Vitamins: Vitamin A, Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), Vitamin C, Vitamin E

Skin Lightening: Kojic acid and liquorice extract

There are more ingredients that you can discuss with the compounding pharmacist at Scott Street Pharmacy

Younger-looking Skin

Through cosmeceuticals, your skin can begin to look and feel like it did five, ten, or even fifteen years ago – moist, smooth, protected, and with reduced appearance of wrinkles. Many commercial creams and lotions may claim to offer the same results, but why use a mass-produced product when you can use one that has been custom-prepared to meet your exact needs?

Ask us today about how cosmeceutical creams can rejuvenate your skin and help present a youthful look.

Dermatology and Cosmoceuticals

*  AntiOx+PP Eye Serum 15ml

*  AntiOx+ Bio-Peptide Eye Cream 15g

*  AntiOx Peptide+ Eye Serum 15ml

*  AntiOx Peptide++ Eye Cream 15g

Ingredients: The ingredients we use in our eye creams and serums include Idebenone, Vitamin E, Organic White Tea extract, Hyaluronic acid, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 and acetyl hexapeptide-8.

Bases:

Biopeptide Base is a PCCA patented base that is packed with 2 peptides called palmitolye pentapeptide-3 and tripeptide-3 . This is a elegant cosmetic base designed for the face.

Eye Serum Base  contains cucumber, hyaluroninc acid, sea buckthorn, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Quercus Suber Bark extract, rosemary leaf  extract and heptapeptide.

Customise: We can customise an eye cream or serum for you on request.   Please contact us for prices and for more information.

Eye Creams and Serums

*  AntiOx+ PP Day Cream 45g

*  AntiOx Bio-Peptide Day Cream 45g

*  Alpha-Lipoic Acid and B3 Day Cream 45g

*  Peptide Face Serum 45ml

*  Peptide+ Face Serum 45ml

*  AntiOx+ PP Face Serum 45ml

Ingredients: The ingredients we use in our day creams  and serums include Idebenone, Alpha-lipoic acid, Vitamin E, Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) Organic White Tea, Hyaluronic acid, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 and acetyl hexapeptide-8.

Bases:

Our elegant cometic cream base naturally stimulates the NMF (Natural Moisturising Factor) of the skin through its emulsion system. The low viscosity cream absorbs quickly, is highly moisturising and leaves the skin with silky smooth feel.

Biopeptide Base is a PCCA patented base that is packed with 2 peptides called palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 and tripeptide-3 . This is a elegant cosmetic base designed for the face.

Face Serum Base  has been specially formulated using some of the most nourishing and regenerative ingredients to help compliment the delicate aging process. The base also contains a peptide called Heptapeptide, which is known to mimic the action of Laminin-5, a molecule that is responsible for improving the skin’s function.

Customise: We can customise an face cream or serum for you on request.  Please contact us to book an appointment and for more information.

Face Creams and Serums

*  Nourishing Night Cream 45g

*  AHA/Alpha-Lipoic Acid Night Cream 45g

*  AHA or PHA Creams, Lotion or Gels 45g

Ingredients: The ingredients we use in our night creams and pigmentation creams include Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Gluconolactone, Hyaluronic acid, Alpha-lipoic acid, Kojic acid, Hydroquinone, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Rosehip Oil.

Bases:

Our elegant cream base naturally stimulates the NMF (Natural Moisturising Factor) of the skin through its emulsion system. The creams absorbs quickly, is highly moisturising and leaves the skin with silky smooth feel. Non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, oil free, Paraben free and petrolatum-free. 

Biopeptide Base is a PCCA patented base that is packed with 2 peptides called palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 and tripeptide-3 . This is a elegant cosmetic base designed for the face.

Gel base is a versatile base that is demonstrates resiliency across a large pH range (2-7.5). Has a silky touch pleasant feel. Great in combination with cream, lotion or Biopeptide Base for a gel/cream base.

Lotion base is an elegant yet durable base that is non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, oil free, Paraben free and petrolatum-free. Its low viscosity emulsion system is highly moisturising, absorbs quickly and has good spreadability with a silky touch. Great for customers wanting a thinner emulsion.

Customise: We can customise an night cream  for you on request.  Please contact us to book an appointment and for more information.

Night Treatment Creams

*  AHA/Lipoic-acid/kojic acid Night Cream 45g

*  Pigmentation Night Cream 45g

*  AHA & BHA Night Cream 45g

Ingredients: The ingredients we use in our night creams and pigmentation creams include Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Salicylic acid, Hyaluronic acid, Alpha-lipoic acid, Kojic acid, Hydroquinone, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, 

Base: Our elegant cream base naturally stimulates the NMF (Natural Moisturising Factor) of the skin through its emulsion system. The creams absorbs quickly, is highly moisturising and leaves the skin with silky smooth feel. 

Customise: We can customise a face cream or for you on request.  Please contact us to book an appointment and for more information.

Pigmentation & Oily/Acne Face Creams

*  AHA/BHA Cleansers 200ml

The Ingredients we use in our Cleansers are Glycolic acid (AHA), Lactic acid (AHA) and Salicylic acid (BHA). Apha hydroxy acids are used to exfoliate the top layer of the skin revealing the new fresh skin underneath. AHA’s also stimualte our cells to produce collagen and help keep our skin hydrated. AHA’s promotes softer, smoother skin with improvement of fines lines and wrinkles. Beta hydroxy acid works deep down in the follicle to reduce sebaceous follicular blockage to prevent blemishes from occuring.

Contact us for prices and more information on our cleansers.

AHA/BHA Face Cleansers

It’s no secret that most kids don’t like taking medicine. There’s nothing fun about being sick, and taking medicine just seems to make it worse. Every parent knows that giving medicine to a child can be a challenge. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Not all children respond well to commercially made medications which make it very difficult. While there’s no guarantee that taking medicine will ever become an entirely pleasurable event, there are some ways we can help.

Paediatric Compounding

IVF Specialists and Gynaecologists are now working with a Compounding Pharmacist to achieve a better outcome for their paitents.  We compound hormones in capsules and pessaries for IVF Specialists and a variety of vaginal creams and gels, troches and pessaries.

IVF and Gynaecology Compounding

Pain is the most common symptom for which individuals seek medical help. Everyone experiences pain at some stage in their lives. It could be headache/migraine, muscle pain or nerve pain, it can be chronic or acute.

Acute pain easily can evolve into chronic pain, which can become difficult to treat. Many commonly prescribed, commercially available pain relief medications help the symptoms associated with chronic conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, and other nerve and muscle pain, but they can also result in unwanted side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness or stomach irritation. Many patients taking these medications come to accept these conditions as part of daily life, but they may find a better solution through pharmacy compounding.

Pharmacy compounding offers patients customised options for pain medication. It provides valuable benefits to those patients whom pain management has become a way of life.

Every individual is unique, and the types of pain experienced can be equally diverse. By working with a compounding pharmacist, your healthcare provider can prescribe treatments tailored specifically for your pain management needs.

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) or (PMEA)

An option for pain conditions including chronic pain.

What is PEA?

Palmitoylethanolamide (or PEA for short) is a naturally occurring substance found both in plants and the human body.

It is a chemical that has both anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, but is well tolerated, with few side effects. It does not belong to the class of medicines known as opioids.

It works by binding to specific sites on cells in the body known as peroxisome receptors.

It was found in studies that chronic pain sufferers have low PEA levels, and by supplementing to increase the body’s level of PEA may be beneficial in the treatment of both chronic and neuropathic pain.

Conditions with potential benefits:

• Arthritis
• Nerve Compression Syndrome
• Sciatic pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Migraine
• Pelvic Pain
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Diabetic Neuropathy
• And more…

Do I need a prescription?

No, but it would be beneficial to discuss all your treatment options with your doctor and other health professionals that is involved in our treatment.

Where do I get more information?

Come and speak to your compounding pharmacist at Scott Street Pharmacy or give us a call.

References on request.

Alternate Dosage Forms

Many patients experience stomach irritation or other unpleasant side effects from taking pain medication. Some have difficulty taking the medication in its commercially available form. Pharmacy compounding can provide alternate methods of delivery to make the process easier. Instead of a capsule or tablet, pain medications often can be compounded as dosage forms such as:

• A topical gel, cream or spray that can be applied directly to the site of the pain and absorbed through the skin.
• Or a suppository.

Such dosage forms may bypass the gastrointestinal tract, providing optimal results with less GI irritation and help patients who have difficulty swallowing pills. By treating the pain at its trigger point, relief and recovery can be strengthened.

Combined Formulations

Some chronic pain sufferers are placed on a variety of medications to help address the symptoms associated with their condition. On many occasions, multiple medications can be combined into a single dose of a specially prepared compound that combines the medications into a single capsule or topical preparation, providing greater convenience for the patient.

Because patients vary in size, symptoms, and pain tolerance, commercially available medications sometimes may not provide the appropriate dosage strength for an individual patient. Through compounding, a prescriber and pharmacist can customise the dosage to the exact amount the patient requires, and find a dosage form that best suits the patient’s needs.

Pain can be debilitating, whether it’s acute muscle or nerve pain resulting from an accident, or a chronic condition such as arthritis or fibromyalgia. Pharmacy compounding may help improve a patient’s quality of life by providing relief with potentially fewer side effects and less overall medication.

We may be able to treat the following conditions with Compounding:

• Osteoarthritis and joint pain
• Soft Tissue Inflammation
• Plantar fasciitis
• General pain
• Migraines
• Anesthetics before laser procedure
• Anesthetics before Needles
• Painful Diaper Rash
• Burning Mouth Syndrome
• Mouth Pain
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neuropathic Pain
• Vulvodynia
• Radiation burns
• Amputation pain
• Athletes Foot
• Corns/Callouses
• Fungal Skin Infections
• Excessive Perspiration
• Nausea

Ask your healthcare provider or our Compounding Pharmacist today about the benefits of customised compounding for pain management.

Pain Management Compounding

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the subject of caring for individuals at the ends of their lives.

The final stages of terminal illness are a very difficult time for both the patient and their loved ones, but hospice care aims to ease the stress and discomfort as much as possible. At the heart of hospice care is the belief that each person has the right to die pain-free and with dignity. In many cases, care is provided in the patient’s home with a loved one serving as the primary caregiver.

Along with their GP, the skills and caring of a knowledgeable compounding pharmacist may be necessary to provide symptom control and pain relief in an end-of-life situation. Pharmacists play a major role in the hospice environment, as caring for the hospice patient generally centers around providing comfort by using pharmaceuticals to relieve and manage symptoms. Pharmacy compounding can offer a practical and compassionate way to meet these needs. Hospice Compounding is especially suited to the concept of providing personalised, individual care to a dying patient.

Every individual is unique, and experiences during the end of life can vary from person to person. However, common symptoms and conditions experienced include:

*  Pain

*  Nausea/Vomiting

*  Dry Mouth/Mouth Pain

*  Burning Mouth Syndrome

*  Oral Thrush
*  Constipation

*  Diarrhoea

*  Vaginal Dryness

*  Bedsores

*  Radiation Burns
*  Anxiety

*  Itching

*  Wound Care

*  Odour

*  Haemorrhoids

*  Anal Fissures

*  Dyspnea

*  Seizures

Compounded medications may be the best way to deal with these symptoms. By working closely with a compounding pharmacist, a healthcare provider can prescribe a regimen of care which is tailored to the hospice patient’s individual needs.

Ordinarily, the first symptom requiring relief is pain, and managing it often requires medication around the clock. Compounding pharmacists can provide specialised medications for patients who suffer from acute and chronic pain. To keep the administration of medicine to a minimum, unique drug combinations can be prepared to allow patients to live more comfortably within their pain threshold while potentially minimising sedation or other adverse side effects.

Due to differences in a patient’s body size, drug tolerance, or various organ failures, commercially available medications often do not provide the exact strength a patient requires. Through compounding, a GP and pharmacist can adjust medications to the exact dosage needed by the patient.

Many hospice patients have trouble taking medications in traditional dosage forms.

In such cases, compounding can provide a more suitable method of administering medicine. For instance:

*  A patient who is unable to swallow may be given topical medication through the skin to help provide relief, which also may help avoid stomach upset.

*  Medications also may be prepared as suppositories or oral liquids.

Through the relationship between a GP and a compounding pharmacist, the relief of pain and other symptoms can be tailored to a patient’s specific needs.

Ask your GP, Hospice Nurse or our Compounding Pharmacist today about the benefits of personalised compounding.

Hospice Compounding

As a pet owner, you want the highest-quality veterinary care and best possible outcome for their medication needs. Our Compounding Pharmacist & Veterinarians realise this and working closely together they can achieve a unique and customised medication solution for your pet.

The practice of pharmacy compounding is becoming a popular solution to veterinary problems. Animals often have variations of the same diseases humans can have, including skin rashes, eye and ear infections, heart conditions, cancer, and diabetes. Medicating pets presents unique problems that often are best dealt with through compounding.  The Vet working closely with a compounding pharmacist can improve the health and happiness of your pet.  All medications for your pet needs a prescription from your vet before we can supply.

Veterinary Compounding

• Vaginal Dryness

• Travel Sickness

• Wounds & Scars

• Warts

• Vitamin D Deficiency

• Thrush

• Skin Conditions

• Reflux & Colic in Babies

• Neuropathic Pain

• Nappy Rash

• Migraines

• Menopause

• Low Fluoride Levels

• Jet Lag

• Haemorrhoids

• Children with ADHD

• Autistic Children

• Andropause

Conditions We Treat

Compounding enables prescribers and pharmacists to meet the special needs of patients. One of its most important benefits is to those patients who have difficulties with commercially available medication. With the prescriber’s consent, pharmacists can custom-prepare medications in a variety of unique dosage forms, including:

*  Capsules

*  Oral Liquids/Suspensions

*  Troches
*  Topical preparations

*  Suppositories and pessaries

*  Ear drops

Capsules

Medication can be compounded into customised capsules, especially in cases where an alternate strength is required or to omit potential allergens or irritants, such as dyes, preservatives, or gluten. To lessen the number of doses to be taken, multiple medications often can be combined into a single dosage or made into sustained-release capsules. Vegetarian capsules made from cellulose are available for patients who do not want to take a gelatin capsule.

Oral Liquids/Suspensions

Many medications can be compounded as oral liquids for those patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets and capsules. Some patients may have problems tolerating the taste of a commercially available liquid, but a compounding pharmacist can make a pleasant-tasting, custom-flavored oral solution or suspension which can be administered easily and accurately. Some medications may be available as effervescent powders, which are mixed with water to make a fizzy drink.

Troches

Troches  are used to keep drugs in the mouth when local action is needed there. Troches also may be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve, which allows the medication to enter the bloodstream quickly and easily. For some patients this ideal dosage form is beneficial for Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy patients. Some troches can be chewed and swallowed by a patient who cannot or will not take a capsule or tablet. These dosage forms can be enhanced with natural sweeteners and pleasant-tasting flavors, making them ideal for geriatric and pediatric patients.

Topical Preparations

Topical methods of delivery also are widely used because they allow the absorption of medicine directly through the skin, and may help avoid potential side effects such as stomach upset or drowsiness. Topical medications often are prescribed for skin problems, anti-aging treatment, pain management, inflammation and nausea/vomiting They are easy to use and are effective in delivering the medication as needed. Topical medication forms include:

*  Gels

*  Creams and lotions

*  Sprays

*  Foams

*  Stick applicators, such as lip balms

*  Suppositories

Patients who cannot take medications orally are ideal candidates for compounded suppositories. Available in various shapes depending on the route of administration, suppositories can be given rectally, vaginally. By melting or dissolving into the body cavity, they allow the medication to pass quickly into the bloodstream. They can be used for bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), to fight nausea, or to treat local conditions such as hemorrhoids, infections, or inflammation.

A compounding pharmacist working closely with you and your physician can prepare medication in a dosage form that has been customised to your particular needs.

Ask our pharmacist today about alternate dosage forms and compounding.

Alternative Dosage Forms

How does Compounding benefit me?

Compounded medication can benefit almost anyone. There are several reasons as to why a prescriber and pharmacist may choose a compounded medication or product for your treatment. It may be because you are unable to tolerate the commercially made medication, or it may be that the current excipients in commercially made drugs are not suited to you.  It could also be that the current strength is not available, so a tailored dose is more desirable or the drug in no longer made in Australia so therefore a compounding pharmacy would have to make it up. So there are lots of reasons why a doctor or pharmacist would suggest a compounded medication.

Do I need a Prescription from my doctor for my compounded medication?

For all Scheduled (S4) medication you will need a prescription. If you are unsure about this, contact us and we will advise you on what to do.

Is Compounding Legal and Safe?

Compounding has been part of healthcare since the origins of pharmacy and is widely used today in all areas of the industry, from hospitals to nuclear medicine. Over the last few decades, compounding has made a comeback and has largely benefited from advances in technology, quality control and research methodology. The Australian Pharmacy Board and Therapeutic Goods Administration  (TGA) has stated that compounded prescriptions are both ethical and legal. This is as long as they are prescribed by a licensed practitioner for a specific patient and made as a single dose unit for immediate use. They must be made in a Compounding Laboratory which Follows the Pharmacy Board Professional Practise Standards for Compounding.

How do I know I am getting a quality product?

At Scott Street Pharmacy we pride ourselves on our professionalism and expertise in the compounding field. We supply our patients with the best product at the highest quality of materials available with the most extensive expertise on hand. We are fully compliant with the compounding practise standards. All preparations must meet Quality Assurance for Safety and we follow a comprehensive audit and inspection yearly which gives peace of mind to prescribers, patients and pharmacists. Scott Street Pharmacy was the first compounding pharmacy to be accredited in Australia.

Is Compounding Expensive?

Compounding can differ from commercially made products and their price is not comparable. It depends on the drugs used and time it takes to make the compounded drug. With a compounded medication you are getting a tailored made product just for you and most of the time we supply 3 months supply.

Will my insurance cover my compounded medication?

Some health insurance funds will cover you for part of the cost of compounded medicines. However, you should contact them directly to discuss this.

Can my child or my elderly parent take a compounded medication?

Yes. Children and the elderly can benefit the most from compounded medication. Parents often have trouble getting their child to take a medication because of the taste, allergies or sensitivities to commercially made medication. It may also be that the child may not tolerate the current dosage form of the commercially made drug, so a compounding pharmacist may need to formulate a different drug form for the child to take easily. For e.g. If a commercially made drug only comes in the form of a capsule, the compounding pharmacist can re-formulate the drug into a palatable suspension.

The Compounding Pharmacist can also help patients who suffer from chronic pain due to arthritis or nerve pain. Sometimes the types of drugs used to treat this pain can cause gastrointestinal upset often leading to stomach ulcers in the elderly. With a doctor’s prescription a compounded topical preparation with anti-inflammatories and or analgesics can alleviate these problems and often work much better than the oral form as you are applying the topical preparation to the area directly.

Where does my medication get made and who makes it?

Your compounded medication is made on site in our Scott Street Pharmacy compounding laboratory. We have two full time compounding technicians who have completed the comprehensive compounding course at the Professional Compounding Chemists of Australia in Sydney.  They have years of experience in compounding.

How long does it take to make up my compounded medication?

We have a lead time of 4 days to make your compounded prescription. However, if it is urgent we can endeavour to have it done sooner. Your medication is made especially for you, which makes your medication so unique. The compounding technicians make your product from the raw ingredients; this process involves a lot of steps and is very time consuming. The process begins with the pharmacist formulating the drug, the ingredients are chosen and scanned ensuring we have picked the correct items then ingredients are weighed and triple checked. Once all this is done we can start mixing the ingredients together in the mortar and pestle and preparing your medication in its final form. We like to ensure that your product is freshly prepared to give your product a long expiry.

How to get my Compounded Prescription Filled?

There are 3 easy way of ordering your compounded Prescription. 

1.  Bring your prescription into the pharmacy.

2.  Send us and email at: pharmacist@scottstreetpharmacy.com.au

3.  Phone us on 07 4638 3522

4.  Fax your prescription to us on 07 4638 2538.

We need to the original prescription before we can release the compounded medication from the pharmacy. You can post it to:

Scott Street Pharmacy, Suite 1 Medici Medical Centre, 15 Scott Street, Toowoomba, Qld, 4350.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the Compounded Products that we have readily available to our customers.

For other Compounded Meidcations and Prescription Only Medications please allow 4 days for our Compounding Technicians to prepare your product.

Compounded Products

Healthy Rewards Program

At Scott Street Pharmacy helping you manage your health is important to us and our Healthy Rewards program will reward you for looking after your health. 

As a member of our rewards program you can expect:

*  Instant Rewards - every non-prescription purchase earns you rewards points

*  Health Advice - we will send you expert tips and advice

*  Member Offers - discounts, special offers and exclusive competition entry, just for you

*  Great Prizes - great prizes to be won

Click here to find out more.

Where to locate us

Medici Medical Centre, Suite 1, 15 Scott Street, 

Toowoomba, QLD 4350

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