Pain is a silent epidemic in the United States. An estimated 50 million Americans live with chronic pain caused by disease, disorder or accident. An additional 25 million people suffer acute pain resulting from surgery or accident. Untreated pain has significant impact on the pain sufferer and their family.
The Chronic Pain in America: Roadblocks to Relief Study, demonstrated clearly that pain has a negative impact on an individual’s quality of life. Pain diminishes their ability to concentrate, do their job, exercise, socialize, and perform daily tasks and sleep, all these results in an unrelenting downward spiral of depression, isolation and loss of self-esteem.
There are numerous ways to treat pain. Optimal treatment may involve the use of medications that possess pain-relieving properties including some antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antiarrhythmic, anesthetics, antiviral agents and NMDA (N-methyi-D-aspartate) antagonists.
By combining various agents which utilize different mechanisms to alter the sensation of pain, physicians have found that smaller concentrations of each medication can be used.
Topical transdermal creams and gels can be formulated to provide high local concentrations at the site of application(e.g., NSAIDs for joint pain) and combinations of medications can be used alone or in combination for neuropathic pain (e.g., gabapentin, clonidine, ketamine). Side effects associated with oral administration can often be avoided when medications are used topically. Studies suggest that there are no great 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. Our pharmacists work with prescribers to find the best option to manage patient pain.
Back Pain
Arthritic Pain
Musculoskeletal Pain
Neuropathic Pain
Sports Related Pain
Fibromyalgia
Neuralgia
Plantar Fasciitis
Fungal Infection
Scar Therapy
Wound Care
Dermatitis