Athletes across all levels and sports often eventually need medication to address injuries and illnesses. A multitude of factors will be taken into consideration when formulating a medication for athletes. And at Brigent Specialty Pharmacy, we work with physicians to ensure their athlete patients get the right medication, in the right form, and in the right dose.
Common Sports Medication Needs
Football players may need topical compounds to address various aches and pains. Major league pitchers will need topical agents to treat inflammation in the shoulder caused by frequent throws.
In both of these cases, compounding pharmacists collaborate with sports physicians to create personalized medication. Athletes rely on pharmacy compounding to get back in the game, and fortunately, it’s available for everyone – not just professional sports stars.
From the gym enthusiast who needs to soothe aches and strains, the high school soccer player recovering from a twisted ankle, and the weekend warrior trying to ease pain during the work week, compounding pharmacy services offer real benefits to everyone leading an active lifestyle.
What is Pharmacy Compounding?
Pharmacy compounding is the process of preparing customized medications for patients. Modern technology and innovative techniques and research have increased access to compound medication, allowing many healthcare providers to collaborate with pharmacists in the creation of custom medication.
If sports drills and fitness programs are tailored to the goals and strengths of an athlete, then medication should also be customized to the unique needs of each patient.
A compounding pharmacist has the experience and training necessary to combine various drugs into a single dosage form. Compound sports medicine could be created to customize topical antifungal medications, treat nerve pain, or heal blisters or calluses.
Compounded sunscreen and lip balms may also help protect athletes playing outdoor sports.
The Brigent Specialty Pharmacy Approach
Our team works closely with both the athlete and their healthcare provider to ensure medication is prepared in the right strengths and delivery systems.
Strength Variations: Training programs are designed to help athletes excel in a particular type of sport. Depending on the sport, the athlete will require a specific amount or type of medication to speed recovery or treat muscle pain. Unfortunately, commercially available products often come in a limited range of strengths, thereby offering reduced effectiveness for athletes. Compounding is an opportunity to calibrate the exact amount of medication necessary for a particular health need and body type, resulting in more effective care and clear results.
Unique Dosage Forms: Compounding pharmacists are also able to alter the medication’s delivery approach. Capsules and tablets taken orally must pass through a patient’s digestive tract before they can become available for the entire body. Unfortunately, anti-inflammatory medication and muscle relaxants taken orally can cause gastrointestinal side effects. That’s why topical medications are the preferred choice among physicians for these health conditions. Topical medications bypass the gastrointestinal tract, helping to minimize GI side effects.
In addition, a compounding pharmacist is able to prepare custom topical creams and transdermal gels or solutions that aren’t commercially available. By treating the pain right at the source, patients can experience significant relief and faster recovery.