Pain management is essential because, even when the underlying disease process is stable, uncontrolled pain prevents patients from working productively, enjoying recreation, or taking pleasure in their usual roles in the family and society. Chronic pain may have many contributing factors, and therefore can be much more difficult to manage than acute pain, requiring customized treatment protocols to meet the specific needs of each patient.

Optimal treatment may involve the use of medications that possess pain-relieving properties, including some antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antiarrhythmics, anesthetics, antiviral agents, and NMDA antagonists. By combining various agents that utilize different mechanisms to alter the sensation of pain, physicians have found that smaller concentrations of each medication can be used.

Transdermal creams and gels can be formulated to provide high, local concentrations at the site of application (e.g., NSAIDs for joint pain), for trigger-point application (e.g., combinations of medications for neuropathic pain), or in a base that will allow systemic absorption. Studies suggest that there are limited restrictions on the type of drug that can be incorporated into a properly compounded transdermal gel. When medications are administered transdermally, they are not absorbed through the gastrointestinal system and do not undergo first-pass hepatic metabolism; therefore, side effects associated with oral administration can often be avoided.

The following is a list of pain conditions for which we commonly compound medications:

Arthritis Ankle Pain Back Pain Burning Foot Syndrome Carpal Tunnel Syndrome CRPS (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome) Diabetic Neuropathy Fibromyalgia Foot Pain Gout

Head, Neck, and Facial Pain Knee Pain Migraines Muscle Spasms Myofacial pain Neuropathic Pain Post Herpetic Neuralgia Shingles Shoulder Pain Tennis Elbow TMJ/TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders)

We work together with the prescribing physician and the patient to solve problems by customizing medications that meet the specific needs of each individual. Please contact our compounding pharmacist to discuss the appropriate dosage form, strength, and medication.