Often, a patient may need a compound drug because they need a different strength or form than the commercially available version, or a drug company has stopped making a drug because it is not profitable. Also, a lot of people are allergic to inactive ingredients such as preservatives or dyes often found in available drug forms.

These compounded medications are sometimes called ‘mixed' drugs when prescribed by physicians.. This way, the pharmacist is able to adjust the drug ingredients to make individualized medications for patients.

Benefits:

• Special compounding allows for special flavorings for people and animals
• Provides the ability to fill any veterinarian prescription while you wait
• Medications can be made that are allergy free, without fillers, dyes, or preservatives, for a more natural alternative
• Discontinued products can be created
• Medications can be compounded that are not commercially available
• Special dosages and forms can be made - for instance, if someone needs a strength of a medication that is not available
• Liquids can be made from capsules or tablets to make them easier to swallow
  
• Suppositories, and troches (lozenges) can be made for those who have difficulty swallowing
• Topical gels and creams for those who cannot take items by mouth or prefer this method
• Combining several medications into one capsule or cream

In addition to making compound medication for people, HealthSmart Pharmacy can compound veterinary drugs. Medication for animals often requires different strength levels, doses, and flavors than the commercially available supply.

A discussion on compound drugs would not be complete without mentioning the benefit to children- HealthSmart can flavor medication to suit any child's sensitive palate. Grape and orange top the most popular list; but HealthSmart has flavors ranging from lemon, strawberry, to even root beer.