February is American Heart Month
February is American Heart Month and February 7th is National Wear Red Day, a reminder to women and those who love them to take action against the #1 killer of women – heart disease. Nearly 1 in 3 American women has high blood pressure, and 80% of women ages 40 to 60 have one or more risk factors for heart disease. Taking good care of your heart means controlling those risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity, and being overweight.
A woman’s natural estrogen supply may also reduce her risk of developing heart disease. A study by researchers from University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands, found that women who were 52 or older when they entered menopause saw an 18% decrease in cardiovascular disease, when compared to women who entered menopause at age 44 or younger. This suggests that the longer a woman holds onto her natural estrogen supply, the less likely she is to suffer from cardiovascular disease.
Here at RxUnlimited Pharmacy, we specialize in hormone replacement therapy. Our compounding pharmacists will work with you and your doctor to compound the necessary hormones in individualized strengths and dosage forms to meet your unique needs.
Stop in today and speak with one of our compounding pharmacists or fill out our online consultation form to set up an appointment for a personal review of your symptoms and health history. http://www.rxunlimited.com/female_health_history.html
New Year, New You!
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is having healthier skin, then RxUnlimited Pharmacy can help! Our experienced compounding professionals create customized therapies to help combat a vast array of dermatologic conditions. Your complexion is the face you meet and greet the world with, and we can help make it the face (and body) you are excited to have the world see. Medications can be added to novel bases to improve the appearance of old or new scars, keloids, or stretch marks. We precisely compound the proper dose of each medication into cosmetically appealing topical creams, sprays, and powders. In addition, we can compound medications such as numbing creams, skin-whitening formulas, facial masks and acne preparations.
Melasma, or discolored skin, is a common hyperpigmentation disorder that affects mostly women. The actual cause of melasma is unknown, but experts believe the condition is hereditary. Sometimes called the “mask of pregnancy”, melasma causes brown or grayish-brown patches to appear on the cheeks, nose and forehead. The culprit is hormones, which fluctuate wildly during pregnancy. Other melasma-triggering factors include birth control pills, hormone therapy, certain medications or cosmetics, and the sun. Melasma usually fades on its own, either after delivery or once you stop taking hormones or birth control pills. But if discolored skin does not lighten, ask your dermatologist about treating the area with topical steroid creams, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or laser treatments.
If you struggle with facial and body acne, unsightly scars, rashes, eczema, dry or painful skin, scars, cuts, and/or wounds, contact us today to see how we can partner with you and your practitioner to offer customized care for all of your needs.
Erectile Dysfunction
Intracavernous injections are the most effective non-surgical treatment for Erectile Dysfunction (ED), according to the American Urologic Association. Injections into the penis, unlike oral medications, trigger an automatic erection. Injection can be done by the individual five minutes prior to sexual activity and should last for no more than one hour. Injection is considered second line, to be used if oral therapy fails. Medications that can be injected include alprostadil, papaverine, and phentolamine. Alprostadil and phentolamine are the most common agents used as monotherapy. However, sterile compounded combination therapies are used to increase efficacy and decrease side effects. Combination therapies include Tri-Mix and Bi-Mix. Neither preparation is commercially available, and must be compounded by prescription.
Rx Unlimited Compounding Pharmacy, safety is a top priority. We compound sterile preparations in our certified state-of-the-art cleanroom which meets USP 797 standards, and includes a laminar flow hood, autoclave, convection oven, incubator, and sonicator. Our personnel have been certified in aseptic technique and perform all sterile compounding with the utmost care, from proper compounding technique and preparation, to storage and handling of FDA-approved chemicals and rigorous cleaning and periodic testing of the clean room itself. We use an independent laboratory to test for sterility and potency.
Palliative Care
In 2011, an estimated 1.65 million patients received palliative care services. The Mayo Clinic defines palliative care as a “medical specialty that aims to improve quality of life for people who have serious or life-threatening illnesses. Palliative care takes into account the person’s emotional, physical and spiritual needs and goals – as well as the needs of his or her family.” In recognition of National Hospice and Palliative Care month, we want you to know that we are here to make this journey as comfortable as possible.
In many situations where palliative care or hospice is involved, the patient suffers from mild to severe nausea and vomiting. Persistent nausea can often be effectively controlled by using a combination of medications tailored to meet that individual’s specific needs. Often, alternate routes of administration (such as rectal or topical medications) are very helpful.
ABHR is a combination of four drugs (lorazepam, diphenhydramine, haloperidol and metoclopramide) that are commonly used to relieve nausea and vomiting; it is not commercially available and therefore must be prepared by a compounding pharmacy. One of the major advantages of compounded medications is that we can customize the strength and dosage form to meet each patient’s needs.
If you think you or your loved ones would benefit from palliative care services, we encourage you to stop by and speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members today.
- http://www.nhpco.org/sites/default/files/public/Statistics_Research/2012_Facts_Figures.pdf
- http://www.nhpco.org/about/palliative-care
- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/palliative-care/MY01051
- http://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/news/print/hematology-oncology/%7B41bce641-1e7a-453c-96cd-50214ec7be12%7D/abhr-gel-for-refractory-nausea-and-vomiting
Progesterone vs. Progestin
The hormone you take may affect your risk of breast cancer
Progesterone is a naturally occurring hormone in women. Progesterone is added to estrogen therapy to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. Initially, progesterone was not available in a form that could be well absorbed, so pharmaceutical manufacturers created a synthetic progestin (progesterone derivative), medroxyprogesterone acetate. Now, progesterone is available in a micronized form that is better absorbed; allowing women to receive progesterone instead of a synthetic progestin as part of their hormone therapy. While both progesterone and synthetic progestins protect the endometrium, there are significant differences in their effect on breast tissue: progesterone induces death of breast cancer cells while progestins may significantly increase estrogen-stimulated breast cell proliferation, which can contribute to the development of breast cancer.
In a study of over 80,000 postmenopausal women, the following breast cancer risk was observed:
- Women who used estrogen only were found to have a 29% increased risk of breast cancer compared to women who had never used Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- Women who used estrogen plus a synthetic progestin were found to have a 69% increased risk of breast cancer compared to women who had never used HRT
- Women who used estrogen plus progesterone were found to have no increased risk for breast cancer
“These findings suggest that the choice of the progestagen component in combined HRT is of importance regarding breast cancer risk; it could be preferable to use progesterone.” (Progestagen – also spelled progestogen – is the class of hormones that includes progesterone and progestins.)
Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2008; 107(1):103-111.
The Developmental Endocrinology Branch, National Institutes of Health, had previously shown that the addition of natural testosterone (not METHYLtestosterone) to conventional hormone therapy for postmenopausal women does not increase and may indeed reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Menopause. 2004 Sep-Oct;11(5):531-5.
A study of the influence of topically administered estradiol and progesterone on human breast tissue concluded that progesterone administration decreases estrogen-induced breast cell proliferation by 400%.
Fertil Steril. 1995;63(4): 785-791.
We work together with physicians and nurse practitioners and their patients to customize Hormone Therapy in the most appropriate dose and dosage form for each
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
If you are a woman over the age of 40, or have had a mother or sister diagnosed with breast cancer, you may be at greater risk of developing breast cancer. Knowing your risk factor for breast cancer can help you create a health program best suited to your individual needs. Proper nutrition and exercise as well as screening with mammograms and self-exams are all important for breast health.
Many women seeking treatment for menopausal symptoms (such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, depression and weight gain) will opt to use a form of hormone therapy. Certain types of hormone therapy may increase your risk for breast cancer. For example, in the Women’s Health Initiative studies, researchers found that the synthetic progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate, when used in conjunction with estrogen therapy, increased the risk of breast cancer.
We alleviate the symptoms caused by the natural decrease in production of hormones by supplementing with hormones that are identical to those normally produced by the human body. Our compounding pharmacists will work with you and your doctor or nurse practitioner to test your hormone levels and determine the best treatment for you. You are unique, and our compounding pharmacy can customize your hormones in strengths and dosage forms to meet YOUR unique needs.
Visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org and share “Beyond the Shock” http://beyondtheshock.com/, a breast cancer educational resource, with friends and family. We also invite you to stop in at either of our locations today to speak with one of experienced compounding pharmacists and find out how we can help you.
How Can We Serve You?
As part of our commitment to serving our community, we are always looking for areas or issues our patients are struggling with, and how we can help solve their problems.
Some of the ways we are helping people and pets with compounded medications are:
- Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
- Customized hormone replacement therapy for relief of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain and irritability
- Unique combinations of drugs to help combat a wide variety of difficult-to-treat dermatologic conditions including rosacea, psoriasis and pigmentation disorders
- Flavored chews and treats in the proper strength for each pet, so that animals beg to take their medications!
- Medications that are unavailable due to current drug shortages or that have been discontinued due to lack of manufacturer profitability
- Sports medicine customized upon request from trainers, team physicians, physical therapists for athletes and “weekend warriors”, to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms
Whatever issue you’re dealing with, stop by RxUnlimited Pharmacy and talk to our friendly and knowledgeable professionals about how we can help you start living your life to the fullest.
Why Choose RxUnlimited Compounding Pharmacy?
At RxUnlimited, we understand that each individual is unique, and that is why your medication should be customized to meet your specific needs. You, your parents, children or pets may require medication in strengths, flavors and dosage forms that are not commercially available. With over 100 combined years of experience, our professionals are here to help you.
By working directly with our patients and their health care practitioners (including physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists and veterinarians), we are able to optimize care and improve outcomes. We care about our Beverly Hills and Van Nuys communities, and we are here to serve you in whatever capacity you need. Bring us your medication problems!