Hello again from the compounding lab!
Last time, I talked about how we can compound medicines that don’t otherwise exist. My specific example was about making zonisamide capsules into a liquid, for kids or other patients who have trouble swallowing. And that’s not the only situation where a person may need a drug that doesn’t exist.What is a person supposed to do when the medicine they take is discontinued by the manufacturer? Fortunately, this doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it can put patients in quite a bind. Midrin, a medicine used to treat migraines, was affected by this within the past few years. A unique combination of three different ingredients (acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene), Midrin was used by many migraine sufferers who found it was the only medicine that gave them relief. In 2018, the FDA ruled that isometheptene would no longer have its “grandfathered-in” status, and all manufacturers must cease its production.Now, if you’re a patient who depends on Midrin, you have a few options. You could go without. You could wait for a manufacturer to resubmit Midrin to the FDA for approval—but that could take years, if not decades, to complete.Or… you could reach out to us to compound it for you. With a valid prescription, we can have the ingredients ordered and made within just a few days. Which option sounds best to you?As always, we're available in the lab Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. Or you can email me anytime at brandon.ladage@belewdrugs.com. We’d love to hear from you!
Until next time,
Brandon
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