What are compounded medications?

Compounding is the mixing of 2 or more pharmacological ingredients by a pharmacist tailored to individual patient needs. 

Why choose compounded medications instead of brand name medications?

Compounded medications can be more affordable for the patient. 

A medication dosage can be compounded if this dosage is not commercially available. 

In addition, if the patient needs an allergen removed from the branded medication, this can be removed in the compounded formulation. 

Moreover, if the patient needs a combination of two drugs to make a specific dose to eliminate the need for extra medications, this can be done by compounding. 

Compounding is also used when there is a shortage of brand medications, this will alleviate the shortage while the branded medication is produced. 

Lastly, compounding allows the patient to have many other options that are not available in the market.  

Who manages and regulates compounding pharmacies? 

At the Confidence Clinic, we only choose compounding pharmacies that have licensed pharmacists and technicians that manage compounding preparations. In addition, we carefully choose compounding pharmacies that follow FDA regulations outlined in Section 503A in the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938, that use FDA approved drug ingredients, that follow all Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) rules and regulations, and that follow United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards that set a level of compound purity, quality, and strength. 

What are the risks of using compounded medications? 

Since the FDA does not test individual compounds for purity, efficacy and safety, they cannot assure they are safe. 

If the pharmacy has below optimal compounding practices, this may result in quality problems, such as contamination, and having less or more active ingredients that can make the medication less or more potent than advertised. At the Confidence Clinic, as mentioned before, we use compounding pharmacies with the highest standards of safety. 

What if I want to be prescribed a brand name medication to be sent to my pharmacy? In the case that you want brand name medications sent to your pharmacy, this can be done, but you, as the patient, will be responsible for paying the prescription directly to the pharmacy. Unfortunately, at the moment, we do not do prior authorizations, and if your insurance requires one, we will not be able to provide it.   

What if I am not a candidate for the program after my blood work is back?

A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to explain the labwork results and advise on next steps, at no additional cost to you.

If it is determined that I am not a candidate for the program, will I get a refund for the money that was paid for the consultation and lab work? 

No, the money will not be refunded in this situation. However, you will be granted a follow-up appointment to explain the labwork results and advise on next steps, at no additional cost to you.