Sometimes your immune system can overreact to a generally harmless substance, causing uncomfortable and possibly life-threatening reactions. Allergic reactions to medications make it harder to treat medical conditions, but going to a compounding pharmacy will allow you to continue taking your medicine safely. Here’s what you need to know about drug allergies and the medicine customization services that compounding pharmacies offer.

What Causes Drug Allergies?

Drug allergies are caused by the immune system’s overreaction to a component in the medicine. The body’s immune system mistakenly labels the drug as a threat, then develops antibodies that flag the substance and signal the immune system to attack. This releases chemicals that cause the symptoms of allergic reactions, such as sneezing and runny nose, hives or skin rashes, swelling, wheezing, and shortness of breath. In rare and serious cases, drug allergies can trigger anaphylaxis. This life-threatening reaction may result in nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, dizziness, tightening of the airways, seizure, and loss of consciousness. 

Allergies can develop at any point, whether it is your first time taking a medication or you’ve been relying on it for years. Common drug allergies include antibiotics like penicillin, pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen, anti-seizure medications, and chemotherapy drugs.

How Can Compounding Pharmacies Help?

Standard pharmacies offer prepackaged doses of drugs that come from the manufacturer. If you have an allergy to any of the components, you will need to switch to a completely different prescription. A compounding pharmacy, on the other hand, specializes in customized medicine. Compounding pharmacists go through additional education and training to provide custom dosages, different forms of the same medicine, and specialty medications. They work with you and your providers to find the best solutions for your unique needs. 

When it comes to a patient with allergies, these pharmacists make custom medications that leave out the nonessential ingredients that cause allergic reactions. That means you can continue taking the prescriptions that otherwise work for you without dealing with allergies or needing to trial a new series of medications. If you need multiple medications, they may also be able to combine them into one medication for greater convenience.

If you have drug allergies that limit the medications you can take, come to Hill’s Compounding Pharmacy in Milford, OH. This compounding pharmacy offers specialized prescriptions prepared to meet your unique needs. They create medications for a variety of applications, from pain management and hormone therapy to pediatric and dental prescriptions. Visit their website to learn more about compounding. To speak with a knowledgeable pharmacist, call (513) 831-3735.