Frequently
Asked
Questions

What is compounding?

Compounding is the art and science of creating personalized medicine. For whatever reason, many people aren’t served by mass-produced medications. That’s where compounding pharmacies come in. Special flavorings, unique dosage forms, innovative delivery methods – using these tools and more, compounding pharmacies work with prescribers to fill a gap in health care through customized solutions for specific patient needs.

Why is compounding important?

Short answer is one size does not fit all. Compounding is personalized medicine.

• Allergies: More and more people are suffering from allergies to inactive ingredients used in commercially manufactured medications. We have many alternatives to fillers, flavors, and dyes to enable us to remove the problematic ingredient.

• Dosage: If the correct dose is not commercially available, we can formulate exactly what a patient requires.

• Drugs No Longer Available: Unavailability of commercially made medications is becoming more and more of an issue. The raw materials in these are often still available, allowing us to compound the needed prescription product.

• Flavoring: When taste of a medication is an issue, as with liquids, we can mask the often bitter flavor of medications. For example, we can put your pet’s medication into yummy liver, fish, beef, or chicken flavor your cat or dog will love!

• Dosage Form: Sometimes a patient can’t take a medication the way it is available. We can put medications into a large variety of different forms: creams, sublingual tablets, suppositories, suspensions, and even lollipops!

• Unique Delivery Forms: Alternative absorption sites which may enhance medication actions often exist.

What are some of the unique dosage/delivery forms available?

Doctors in any field of medicine can prescribe medication to a patient in the form of:

• Creams

• Gels

• Ointments

• Suppositories

• Nasal sprays

• Sub-lingual (under the tongue) sprays and drops

• Appealing flavors

• Troches

• Vaginal inserts

• Lollipops

• And more…

Is compounding legal? Is it safe?

YES! Compounding has actually been part of healthcare since the origins of pharmacy, and is used widely today in all areas of the industry, from hospitals to nuclear medicine. Over the last decade, the compounding industry’s resurgence has largely benefited from advances in technology, quality control and research methodology. The Food and Drug Administration has stated that compounded prescriptions are both ethical and legal as long as they are prescribed by a licensed practitioner for a specific patient and compounded by a licensed pharmacy. In addition, compounding is regulated by state boards of pharmacy. Visit The Alpine Difference page to see how we are keeping our patients safe.

What compounded medications does Alpine Apothecary specialize in?

We compound in a variety of different fields but we predominantly focus on hormone replacement therapy, thyroid, adrenal support, low dose naltrexone, autoimmune issues, dermatology, pain management, nasal sprays and irrigations, pediatric, and veterinarian medications. Visit Our Specialties page to learn more.

Where do you get your ingredients?

We use top-of-the-line chemicals and ingredients in each compound. We purchase and use only the highest quality ingredients for use in our compounded medications. We have found over the years that there is a difference in quality and use only PCCA and Medisca ingredients. To learn more about the measures our suppliers take to provide us with quality ingredients, visit thepccastandard.com.

Which doctors can prescribe compounded medications?

If you already have a doctor willing to prescribe a compounded medication, then we can work with them to customize it for you. If they are not familiar with prescription compounding, we are happy to call and discuss it with your doctor. If you need a referral to a doctor in your area that prescribes compounds, then we can facilitate that as well. For a list of prescribers that we already partner with, go here.

Can my child or my elderly parent take compounded medications?

Yes. Children and the elderly are often the types of patients who benefit most from compounding. If prescribed by your healthcare provider, a compounding pharmacist can alter the strength of a medication or change the form so that it is easier to use.

For example, our pharmacists can work with a physician to flavor a compounded medication, based on your preferences. Flavoring options include all natural strawberry, cherry and vanilla, among many others.

Also, we can help patients who experience chronic pain, like arthritic patients who cannot take certain medications due to gastrointestinal side effects. Working with a physician’s prescription, we can provide these patients medications as topical creams that can be absorbed through the skin. Compounded prescriptions frequently are used to ease pain, nausea and other symptoms for hospice patients as well.

When will my compounded prescription be ready?

Once you have spoken with a member of our team, most compounded prescriptions will be ready for pick-up the following business day after 3:00 p.m.

If you want to know the status of a compounded prescription, simply call us at 1.435.615.0070. We will be happy to tell you when your prescription will be ready. You can also sign up to receive a text once your prescription has passed our final pharmacist check and is ready for pick-up.

Can I fill a compounded medication anywhere?

Not all pharmacies are compounding pharmacies and, due to loose federal and state regulations, not all compounding pharmacies are to be considered equal. It can be difficult to find a quality compounding pharmacy. We are a compounding-only pharmacy, so compounding is our specialty and focus every second of every day. Check out The Alpine Difference to learn what sets us apart from other compounding pharmacies.

How much do compounded prescriptions cost?

Overall, pricing on each prescription can vary, but we offer competitive pricing on all of our compounds. Often patients are pleasantly surprised with our 3-month bundle deals. Please call and speak to one of our team members for more details on your specific compound at 1.435.615.0070.

Will my insurance pay for my prescription?

Insurance plans oftentimes will pay for a portion of your compounded medication. We do not bill insurance directly, but will provide you with a universal compounded claim form to submit to your insurance for easy reimbursement. Because of differences in plans and insurances we can not guarantee your insurance will cover compounds.

How can I dispose of unused medications?

For local disposal information, visit this resource.

For nationwide disposal information, visit this resource.