9 Great Ways Our Custom Compound Pharmacy Can Help You

Did you know that Village Green Apothecary has safely filled customers' prescriptions for over 55 years? And compounding is a big part of that. Our compound pharmacy specializes in custom compounding of nutrients (vitamins, minerals and amino acids), herbs and prescription drugs. Individualized compounds are prepared on orders from a nutritionist or physician, like a regular prescription, and offer several distinct advantages over mass-produced bottled products.

One of the most important aspects of Village Green is our pharmacists’ depth of knowledge. They know a lot about nutrition and holistic medicine, drug-nutrient interactions and drug-herb interactions. They can also advise you about nutrient depletions related to particular drugs, including side effects that may be eased by replacing key nutrients in the body that certain drugs deplete.

What can our compound pharmacy provide?

Custom prescriptions

Why use a compounding pharmacy?

Mass-produced medicine isn’t for everyone, and often pre-packaged dosage amounts and/or forms are not suitable for specific patient needs. Custom compounding can provide accurate, tailor-made dosages, and customized ingredients and strengths, so that a custom blended medication can be made to fit the need of any patient.

Personalized services

With personalized compounding, the best community compounding pharmacy for you is one that can combine several pills into one, or change the form from a pill to a cream or liquid.

Flexibility

Through our compound pharmacy, we have superior flexibility in how medications and nutritional elements, such as a customized compound premix, are prepared and packaged. Most compounding pharmacies handle drugs, fewer handle nutrition solutions, and only a handful like Village Green Apothecary have the specially trained pharmacists that handle BOTH nutrition and drugs - including the knowledge of drug-nutrient depletions and interactions.

What most people may not know about compounded drugs is that they are not subject to FDA approval because they are not subject to the same premarket review process as commercial drugs. Compounding pharmacies follow the quality control guidelines set forth by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), such as the USP 795 for nonsterile preparations, which are things like capsules, creams and liquids. Curious how your compound is being made? Ask your pharmacist.

Pharmacies compound drugs for individual patients according to a prescription under federal law, said the FDA. Compounded drugs haven’t been reviewed by the agency for safety, effectiveness or quality before they get to you, the FDA added. This is why your pharmacist is so important. Each compound has a beyond-use date, which tells you how long it is good for. Ask your pharmacist how to properly store the compound.

Who can prescribe compounds?

Some physicians who regularly prescribe individualized compounds include OB/GYNs, family care doctors, allergists, pediatricians and dermatologists. Nutritionists, naturopaths and herbalists can also prescribe compounds, and even veterinarians use custom compounds for their pet patients.

Getting started is simple. Your practitioner sends the order, just like a regular prescription. Our pharmacists can then talk with you about the form that works best for you and any drug-nutrient or drug-herb interactions to watch for.

What are compounds typically used for?

1. Nutrition

Through vitamin compounding, your current vitamins and minerals can be turned into a custom vitamin premix solution with just the right dosage and your preferred form (capsule, lozenge, liquid, cream, etc.). Your current selection of vitamins and minerals can be compounded into custom supplement blends with just the right dosage and your preferred form (capsule, lozenge, liquid, cream, etc.).

The form matters too. Vitamin B12, for example, is found in supplements as cyanocobalamin, methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin or hydroxocobalamin, according to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Your practitioner can specify the form and amount, and we can compound it into a capsule, lozenge or liquid. Some supplements may interact with medications. Be sure to share your full list with your pharmacist.

2. GI Support

Lab testing can be done to compound and personalize formulas to address gastrointestinal issues.

3. Prescription drugs

Your needs may require a compounded prescription free of dyes, preservatives, and other allergens, in a custom strength or dose, and the best form for you.

4. Pain management

Formulas can be tailored for pain and nausea, plus anti-inflammatory preparations for topical use.

5. Autism/ADHD

Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and also ADHD, have special nutritional and pharmaceutical needs.

6. Mental Health

Customized targeted nutrient blends can be formulated for patients based on results from unique brain chemistry testing.

7. Dermatology

Topical and oral medications prescribed for acne, scars, psoriasis, eczema and other skin conditions can be individually tailored with precise medication dosages.

8. Pediatrics

Many new drugs on the market are manufactured for adults and not children, so compounded medications can be made sugar-free, dye-free, modified for taste, or placed in child-sized capsules.

9. Veterinary

Use a custom compound to make medications easier to administer, provide the proper dosage for a specific animal, and make it more palatable.

What sets Village Green's compound pharmacy apart?

Every custom compounding chemist on our pharmacy's staff is extremely knowledgeable. Eric Moon, our lead compounding pharmacist, has an expertise in pediatric compounds, many of which have helped seriously ill children going through transplant surgery, suffering from autism, and other debilitating conditions. He also has extensive experience with nutritional compounds that have helped many people who have needed a custom supplement blend with specific combinations of nutrients. Eric particularly enjoys the personal service involved with helping people address their unique health issues.

How do I learn more?

Our expert team at Village Green is here to help! Contact us to learn more or to speak with someone in the compounding pharmacy. We look forward to hearing from you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is compounding pharmacy?

This means that a pharmacist has made a medication or nutrient formula for you specifically according to your practitioner’s order. Rather than a product mass-produced to be taken by many people, your dose, form and ingredients are customized for you. This could be a dye-free capsule, a liquid instead of a tablet or a topical cream. Compounding pharmacies adhere to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) quality standards, including USP 795 for nonsterile preparations.

Can you recommend a pharmacy that offers personalized vitamin formulations?

Village Green Apothecary offers this through its compound pharmacy. Your practitioner sends an order, much like a regular prescription. Your current vitamins and minerals can then be made into a custom blend with the dose you need and the form you prefer, such as a capsule, lozenge, liquid or cream. Be sure to share your full supplement list with your pharmacist.

Can compounded medications be made free of dyes and preservatives?

Yes. Village Green Apothecary can compound a prescription free of dyes, preservatives and other allergens. The same order can also set a custom strength or dose and the form that works best for you. For children, compounds can be made sugar-free or dye-free, too. Your practitioner sends the order, and your pharmacist talks with you about the options.