Thursday, September 18, 2014

Comments From Compounded Pain Creams and Adverse Effects Article

  • Compounded pain creams can be extremely beneficial to patients in chronic pain. These medications are not for everyone and should be reserved for those who the FDA approved drugs do not provide relief. Considering the lack of efficacy, abundant adverse effects, and physical dependence problems with current FDA approved drugs this is a large number of patients who are unable to lead normal lives. With that being said the real issue at hand is the lack of relationship
    between the pharmacist and the patient. Many of these pain creams are being shipped from out of state pharmacies where the patient gets very little or any counseling. Pennsylvania still does not have a law that forces out of state pharmacies to register with the board of pharmacy. When these medications are dispensed from a responsible compounding pharmacist who takes the time to explain the risks and benefits for the patient, successful outcomes are likely. Communication is key between the prescriber, pharmacist, and patient to avoid the situations listed above.
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        "Poison Control Centers, has had 8 cases reported as a result of these products in the last 12 months" Wow these are sure dangerous. Last year there were over 3,000 calls to the poison control centers for Tylenol toxicity. 

      1 comment:

      Anonymous said...

      Compounded pain cream toxicities have not been studied (they are experimental therapies)--8 case reports to a single poison center is concerning, regardless of the size of the use/exposure denominator.
      The acetaminophen case count comparison may be relevant, if/when the pain creams are subjected to rigorous clinical evaluation (data between the two drugs must be commensurate for valid comparison).