Compounding Pharmacy

Pain Management

Chronic pain can be very difficult to manage. Many of the traditional oral drugs used for pain treatment, such as opioids, NSAIDs, and anticonvulsants, can have unwanted systemic side effects. These classes of medications, among others, can be just as effective in managing pain when used topically. Using a comprehensive approach to treating symptoms of chronic pain has shown to be very effective, which can be easily accomplished using a topical formulation.

Advantages:
  • Avoid first pass hepatic metabolism
  • Avoid GI tract
  • May improve compliance
  • Increased drug concentration at site of pain
  • Decreased systemic side effects
Disadvantages:
  • Most common side effect is rash
  • May not be suitable for large areas
  • Absorption may vary from patient to patient