Human Medicine

Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is a condition when someone experiences repeated anaphylactic episodes due to high levels of mast cell mediators being released more frequently and/or a patient experiences an allergic reaction from things that are not considered harmful such as food or other triggers such as fragrances, stress, and changes in temperature.

Finasteride is prescribed to treat male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia. It also used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men which is caused by an enlarged prostate.

Apomorphine stimulates dopamine receptors which results in behavioral effects that are beneficial for patients with ASD.

Bacterial vaginosis is a common infection of the vagina caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. It is the most common condition for women, specifically women in their reproductive years. It is estimated that one in every three American women will get bacterial vaginosis and it is one of the most common reason women visit gynecology clinics.

The Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, is formally known as the Memorandum of Understanding Addressing Certain Distributions of Compounded Drug Products Between the States and the US FDA

The current data for the use of LDN for Sjogren’s Syndrome is limited to case reports only. These case reports, though, are encouraging for LDN’s potential utility in the disease. There are three case reports that detail LDN use in SS, in which all patients are female and have diagnosed SS with symptoms of dry eyes and mouth, joint pain, fatigue, and general pain.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic allergic condition that causes inflammation in the esophagus. The esophagus is the part of your throat that carries food to the stomach. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell. They are useful for fighting infection, but they are also responsible for much of the immune/allergic response against our own body.

Ketotifen is an antihistamine that is used for a variety of medical conditions such as for asthma or allergies. It is usually available as a prescription ophthalmic medication, but it can be made into different dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, or topical creams/ointments by compounding.

Paromomycin, an aminocyclitol antibiotic derived from Streptomyces fradiae, has a spectrum of activity that includes many protozoa. This antibiotic inhibits protein synthesis by binding to 16S ribosomal RNA. It binds to the A site, which causes defective polypeptide chains to be produced. Continuous production of defective proteins eventually leads to bacterial death.

Skin aging is a natural biological process that occurs in many people. For some, aging of the skin becomes an issue, as it might affect their overall well-being and perception of their health. Our skin begins to age as we get older, and it may occur due to several different factors, such as medical conditions, stress, environmental conditions, etc.

Lovastatin is known as a lipid-lowering drug but is also proven to be effective against certain skin conditions because of its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and possibly, anti-cancer effects. Above studies show lovastatin has potential to be the first-line therapy agent in the setting of acute and chronic wound care. Although more concrete studies/data are required to establish its place in wound healing therapy.

Psoriasis is a common skin condition in which red, itchy scaly patches develop on the body. The patches commonly occur on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp. Psoriasis is a long term condition with no actual cure. Symptoms tend to go through cycles, where they may flare up for a few weeks/months and then subside for a while, possibly going into remission.

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a common and chronic skin condition that can make the skin red and itchy. It commonly affects children, but it can occur at any age. It often begins before age 5 and it can persist into adolescence and adulthood. Eczema is a chronic condition, in that symptoms can flare from time to time.

Acne is a common skin condition, especially in adolescents and young adults. It is highly prevalent, in that approximately 50 million people in the US have acne.

Topical sirolimus works by inhibiting the mTOR pathway and causing the growth of angiofibromas to slow, and the bumps or plaques to become smaller.

Compounded medications can be great options for patients who have specific medical needs unmet by commercial medications.

Androgens are known to cause an increase in hair growth. Since Metformin reduces androgen levels, it might negatively affect the overall progression of androgenetic alopecia, as hair growth would be decreased.

Instructions on how to use vaginal suppository with downloadable PDF and video on YouTube.

Instructions on how to use vaginal suppository with downloadable PDF and video on YouTube.

The ability of active pharmaceutical ingredients with the same chemical formulation to exist in more than one crystalline form with different structural arrangements. Mebendazole exists in the solid state as three different polymorphic forms identified as A, B, and C.

Ursodiol (ur-soe-dye-ole) is a medication that you may recognize under two different names: Ursodeoxycholic acid or Actigall ® . This medication is used to help remove or prevent gallstones containing cholesterol in not only humans but also in dogs or cats as well! This medication may also be used to treat liver or gallbladder disease in pets.

Radiation burns are not actually burns! They are a type of dermatitis or skin irritation caused by high levels of radiation exposure on the skin. Radiation exposure can originate from various sources including prolonged UV light exposure, high levels of X-ray exposure from medical imaging procedures, and radiation therapy used in cancer treatment.

Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin F2-α agent which is currently FDA indicated for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure and hypotrichosis of the eyelashes. The success of bimatoprost in treating hypotrichosis of the eyelashes, which is when there is an inadequate amount of eyelashes, has led to investigating its use in other types of hair loss.

As women age, testosterone levels decrease, along with other hormones such as estrogen. This is because around the time that menopause begins, the ovaries are producing fewer hormones. Furthermore, a woman may have reduced levels if her ovaries have been removed or if she has adrenal insufficiency.

The LDN Research Trust is a UK registered Charity, founded in 2004, with the primary purpose of promoting research into the unlicensed use of Naltrexone at a low dose, to treat conditions and diseases. Naltrexone at a low dose is referred to as LDN (Low-Dose Naltrexone).

Naltrexone is often classified as an opiate antagonist. However, at low-doses, Naltrexone acts to inhibit certain inflammatory pathways, which involve Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs). Naltrexone’s traditional use is in treating addiction to opiate drugs, such as heroin or morphine, or to treat acute overdose of these opioids. The daily dose of Naltrexone used for this purpose is usually between 50 mg (moderate dose naltrexone) to 300mg (high dose Naltrexone). Similar levels of Naltrexone are using for acute dosing.

For patients with chronic Lyme disease, intravenous antibiotics can be used to eliminate persistent disease. The intravenous course can eliminate Lyme disease in the body, but the symptoms may take longer to subside. It's unknown why symptoms, like joint pain, continue after the bacteria have been treated. Some doctors believe that persistent symptoms occur in people who are prone to autoimmune disease.

Almost 50% of Americans visit their physician due to pain, however, almost 4 out of 10 people with pain do not get adequate pain relief and do not respond well to their prescribed pain regimen. Mainly, there are two types of pain that DXM has been used to treat: opioid resistance and neuropathic pain. Opioid resistance is when there is no response to pain relief when high IV doses of morphine sulfate are used. This opioid resistance occurs in conditions such as cancer, chronic pain, and postherpetic neuralgia. Neuropathic pain usually occurs when there is an injury to the nerves such as diabetic neuropathy.

CPP is defined as pain in the region of the pelvis for more than 6 months. It involves parts of the body that are supplied by the nervous system and the pain is most often located between the belly-button and hip/thigh area.

Guanfacine can also be used as an adjunct treatment in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is defined as a biologically based neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. Children with ASD are reported to demonstrate hyperactivity as well, both with or without the presence of an ADHD diagnosis.

Tofacitinib is currently being studied for use in Vitiligo. One of the central pathways of vitiligo that seems to be important to the disease progression is the interferon-gamma signaling pathway. Involved in this pathway are the JAK receptors. Because of this, the use of a JAK receptor can be used to block the pathway and therefore block the progression of the disease and help induce repigmentation.

Oxytocin is a naturally occurring peptide hormone in the human body that is produced by the hypothalamus. This hormone plays a role in human social bonding, sexual reproduction, and childbirth. Currently, a synthetic form of oxytocin is used as a medication to help induce labor in patients who are medically indicated and to help control postpartum bleeding. It is available as a solution for intramuscular (IM) and intravenous (IV ) injection.

Midrin is a combination product of acetaminophen 325 mg, isometheptene mucate 65 mg, and dichloralphenazone 100 mg. This medication starts working against headache pain in as little as 5 to 10 minutes.

Midrin is a combination product of acetaminophen 325 mg, isometheptene mucate 65  mg, and dichloralphenazone 100 mg. It is used for the treatment of migraine and tension headaches and works by targeting the headache pain via three different pathways. The acetaminophen component helps to reduce pain by inhibiting central prostaglandin synthesis,  specifically COX-2, to help elevate the patient’s pain threshold. The isometheptene mucate component reduces stimuli leading to vascular headaches by causing vasoconstriction of dilated cranial and cerebral arterioles. The dichloralphenazone component is a prodrug of chloral hydrate and antipyrine which are a sedative and relaxant respectfully and aid in reducing the patient's emotional response during a migraine episode.

Cholestyramine is a bile acid sequestering agent that was approved by the FDA for use in hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol). By forming a complex with bile acids that cannot be absorbed by the body, cholestyramine prevents recycling of bile acid through the process of enterohepatic recirculation. Due to this, the bile acids lost in the fecal matter need to be replaced. Since bile acids are created from cholesterol, this causes the overall cholesterol level to decrease.

Tofacitinib is classified as an anti-rheumatic agent that is normally prescribed for autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and psoriatic arthritis. It functions through inhibition of the JAK-STAT pathway which is made up of several pro-inflammatory paths and results in increased inflammation. There have been four different JAKs discovered at this point (JAK1/2/3 and TYK2) and variations in their function can be associated with increased or decreased total immune system function.

Boric acid is a weak local anti-infective that is often used topically to for its anti-septic and anti-fungal effects. It is used topically for conditions involving irritated skin, such as chapped or chafed skin.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as male pattern baldness, is the most common cause of hair loss in men, affecting about 80% of Caucasian males. It is characterized by hair follicles that gradually decrease in size, leading to baldness over time. AGA is usually the result of a genetic predisposition; however, evidence shows that the cause may also be androgen-related. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the primary androgen involved in AGA and men affected by this condition will have increased serum concentrations of DHT.

Flucytosine is an oral antifungal agent that is used with amphotericin B for serious Candida and Cryptococcus infections. It works by penetrating fungal cells and interfering with fungal RNA and protein synthesis. However, it is generally used second-line and its use is limited by its toxicities. Flucytosine should be used with extreme caution in patients with kidney dysfunction and dose adjustments are required. It should also be used with caution in patients with bone marrow depression, hematologic disease, or who have been treated with radiation or drugs that suppress the bone marrow.

Alopecia commonly referred to as hair loss is a condition that affects the majority of the population. It is more prevalent in males; about 30% of men experience hair loss by the age of 30, 50% by the age of 50 and increases 80% by the age of 70. It is less prevalent in females and about 40-50% of women experience hair loss by the age of 70.

Estrogens are a group of hormones produced primarily by the ovaries in women. They can also be produced by the adrenal gland and fat tissue in smaller quantities. It is considered a female hormone, but the testes in men also produce it in very small quantities and contribute to the development of male reproductive organs. It is referred to as a sex hormone as it mainly targets and is produced by the reproductive organs.

Compounded medications are made for each individual or pet who provides a prescription from a physician, veterinarian or other medical professionals. These special medications are formulated for a particular patient rather than for any patient who requires the prescription drug. You might wonder why compounded medications can help you to live a healthier life, and here are six reasons for ordering these prescription drugs from a compounding pharmacy.

It is important to follow the directions provided by the health care provider on how to take the drug to ensure you receive maximum clinical benefit. Compounding of certain medications allows them to be administered in alternate route(s) that are not offered commercially. A compounding pharmacist can work with your doctor to see what options are available.

Treatment for cognitive disorders is a growing field in the world of medicine. As we learn more about how the brain works, new drugs are made to manage the effects of the various diseases and disorders of the brain. One of these new drugs is Synapsin®, a dietary supplement made by pharmacist Jim LaValle to promote neurologic and cognitive health.

Anal fissures are a common anorectal condition, occurring in roughly 1 in 1000 people per year. It is more common in women than in men, and in younger people (less than 50 years of age) than in the elderly. It is often associated with constipation, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and obesity. While common, anal fissures are easy to treat with lifestyle changes and compounded medications.

Ketotifen is a drug used worldwide for the treatment of allergic conditions, most commonly asthma. While the oral tablet form is commercially available in other countries, it is only available in the United States through compounding pharmacies.

You might think that the brown spots on your skin are only freckles from sun exposure or normal age spots from the natural aging process, but some of these dark discolorations are serious health problems. Today, many senior citizens are finding strange dark spots on their skin because there wasn't a concern about sunlight exposure long ago. It is important to understand what the dark spots on your skin are along with preventing additional discolorations from the exposure to sunlight.

From time to time, it is common for your interest in sex to not synchronize with your partner’s. It is also normal for your general interest in sex to occasionally fluctuate. However, for some, a decreased libido over a long period of time may be cause for concern. It turns out that hormones, a decrease or increase in them to be more specific, may contribute to a decrease in libido for both women and men.

Crohn’s Disease is a debilitating form of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is estimated that 3 million people in the US alone have a form of IBD. There is currently no cure for Crohn’s which is usually characterized by frequent diarrhea, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and anemia. Normal therapies include immunosuppressive drugs including steroids, but 80% of patients will need surgical intervention within 20 years of diagnosis. There is evidence that low dose naltrexone can achieve symptom relief in some patients who have moderate symptoms despite normal therapies.

When you hear the word naltrexone your first instinct is most likely to think of this medication as something that is used to treat opioid or alcohol dependence. However, what if I were to tell you that patients suffering with fibromyalgia could use this medication to find relief and treat their pain? As strange as this may sound, breakthroughs in research in the recent years have actually shown that low dose naltrexone may potentially have a multitude of uses, including treating autoimmune diseases, pain and central nervous system disorders. This article will explore why low dose naltrexone (LDN) may be not be such a far-fetched idea for treating fibromyalgia.

Biotin goes by several other names: vitamin H, vitamin B7, and coenzyme R. Biotin is an essential molecule to biological processes which cannot be produced in the body. Like all vitamins, it must be ingested in the diet. Currently, high dose biotin at a dose of 300 mg every day is being clinically investigated for the improvement of symptoms in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). This dose is 10,000 times higher than the adequate daily intake recommendations.

Ketamine is a drug currently approved by the FDA for use as a general anesthetic during minor surgical procedures such as biopsies. It is widely known as a recreational drug because of its ability to induce cognitive-dissociative, hallucinogenic, and euphoric states in humans. Recently, it has been implicated in research as a potential therapeutic agent in depression especially in patients who have failed previous standard therapies.

Overview: Patients with extensive vitiligo may choose to depigment the remaining areas of their skin to attain uniform skin tone. Monobenzone or monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (MBEH) is a drug approved by the FDA for final depigmentation of the skin in patients with advanced vitiligo (vitiligo universalis). It is prepared as a 20-40% topical formulation such as a cream or ointment and is applied twice a day to affected areas. Monobenzone has been shown to start irreversibly depigmenting skin in 1-4 months, and full effects are usually seen after 5-12 months. Beside are pictures showing the progression of a patient’s depigmentation before, and at 4, 6, and 8 months of monobenzone treatment.

Do you suffer from unwanted hair loss? Read below to learn 7 facts about Finasteride and how it can be used for hair loss.

The mystery behind what it is and is there a place for vaginal Valium® (diazepam) in the treatment of it? Odds are that many individuals probably have never even heard of pelvic floor dysfunction, more so many of those suffering from this condition may be unaware/have never been properly diagnosed. In this article we break down the mystery behind this condition and what you need to know about it.

Sublingual Administration is a way of giving medication through the mouth. It involves placing the drug beneath the tongue, to be absorbed and dissolved into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes. These drugs are in the form of tablets that dissolve, sprays, or films.

As we age, taking care of our hearts should become more of a priority. This is especially the case if you have a history of heart disease and high blood pressure in your family. Fortunately, there are some foods you can include in your diet to improve the health of your heart and support overall well-being.

The Spring is an important season, as the drastic change in weather can impact people's immune systems and cause them to catch colds. That's why it is important that you are eating fruits and vegetables on a daily basis so that you can stay healthy. Here is a look at the best fruits and vegetables to eat as the temperatures transition during the Spring.

As most parents know, kids are picky and won't always eat or drink everything you give them. Not only does this make dinnertime difficult, but it can cause problems when administering medicine. If your child doesn't like the taste or consistency, he or she may refrain from taking it. So, what steps can you take to encourage your child to take his or her medicine?

Compounding is the art and science of making personalized medications for patients by specially trained pharmacists. Compounded medications are made based on a practitioner's prescription in which individual ingredients are mixed together in the exact strength and dosage form required for the patient.

CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy has been approved through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) .Pharmacy Verified Websites Program. Earning approval through the .Pharmacy Program enabled CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy to register a .pharmacy domain name for its website.

Before the mass production of pharmaceuticals gained momentum and changed the industry, most medications were created for patients in a more individualized manner. While mass production brought convenience to the supply side of things, it took away some of the benefit that came with tailoring prescription medications to the individual patient’s needs. In the accompanying infographic, we’ve laid out a timeline that touches on the history of compounding medicine, along with statistics and data related to prescriptions across the United States. Not only that, but we’ve also provided a number of benefits associated with compounding medicine that you’ll want to keep in mind next time you need a more tailored prescription.

It's important to choose a compounding pharmacy located in the US and specifically who's licensed in your state. You also want to carefully select a compound pharmacy that is accredited for adhering to the highest quality standards and compounding practices. An accreditation, like PCAB, Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board provides a process to review a compounding pharmacy’s ability to meet strict regulatory requirements and standards set by accreditation organization. It demonstrates the pharmacy’s commitment to quality by meeting/or exceeding strict industry standards.

Some people are unable to take certain types of medications. For such individuals, the concept of compounded drugs might offer a viable solution. The following brief piece examines what compounded drugs are, the reasons they may be necessary, in addition to how they benefit those who take them.

Patients and their caregivers experience confusion over what their insurance covers. This is particularly true when they are prescribed a compounded medication. The reality is that it depends on the insurance company. Some cover compounded prescriptions. Some cover compounded medicines under certain circumstances while others do not cover compounded drugs.

Compounding is a pharmaceutical practice that can tailor a medication to the specific needs of an individual. These needs have been identified by the individual's health care provider and are in some way incongruent with the options available through traditional drug manufacturing. Let's look at what compounding involves and how you can ensure you're getting safe, reliable compounding services.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune condition that can affect many parts of the body including the skin, kidneys, central nervous system and blood vessels. The body’s immune system cannot distinguish between foreign bacteria or viruses, such as the flu, from the body’s own healthy tissues. This condition causes inflammation, and damage to various organs of the body. With treatment, symptoms of lupus can be controlled and patients can live a healthier life.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the myelin (protective sheath over nerve fibers) in the central nervous system(CNS). Over time there is degeneration of the nerves that can lead to a series of issues. Less severe symptoms can include numbness, weakness, tingling, pain and tremor. While there is no cure for MS, there are treatment options that can help slow down degeneration and relieve symptoms. Among those treatment options, the use of high-dose biotin-D has recently emerged.

Finasteride is more commonly known for its tablet form to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), brand name Proscar and male pattern hair loss (alopecia), brand name Propecia. It was originally marketed for BPH at 5mg daily, one of the side effects noticed with this medication was the increasing hair thickness and was then approved after being studied for alopecia. Although given at a lower dose of 1mg daily for alopecia, finasteride, when taken orally, can still cause side effects common with 5mg daily such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and other sexual adverse experiences. These side effects may steer patients away from wanting to take oral finasteride for alopecia.

Betahistine, an anti-vertigo medication, is used to treat symptoms of Meniere’s disease in adults.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is associated with disabling symptoms because the immune system attacks the nervous system. Signs and symptoms vary from person to person. Mild symptoms can include numbness or weakness, tingling or pain and fatigue while more severe MS can result in patients losing their ability to walk independently. With no cure for MS, symptomatic relief is offered through a variety of medications.

If you were wide awake in health class—or, happened on it while flipping through a Men’s Fitness magazine in between articles on ab crunches—testosterone is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the human body that helps signal organ development and bone growth and the creation of new blood cells in males and females.