Comments on: Are Compounded Hormone Products Safe? A Pharmacist Responds

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:18:49 +0000

D- Thank you for contributing to this conversation – this is important information for women to know and consider when making a decision about choosing a hormone replacement therapy.

By: D. McBain

D. McBain — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:05:33 +0000

A couple other things for women to think about as far as bioidenticals and individually compounded hormones. Keep in mind these two things are not the same. There are some commercially prepared products available that are “bioidentical.” Some women just like the idea of bioidentical better and that’s fine but there is no research that says that bioidenticals are safer or work any better. They likely carry the same risks as conjugated equine estrogens like Premarin. There is no research that can tell us what exact dose is right for each woman. And nothing that tells us what hormone level she should be at. Hormone testing results can vary wildly in each woman from day to day. It is symptoms which should be treated, not blood levels. If a woman has prescription coverage chances are compounded hormones will not be covered and chances are a commercial product can meet her needs. There is a place for compounded hormones and a good pharmacy can provide a quality product but most women don’t need to spend the extra money.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:11:23 +0000

Christa – Thanks for your comment. I wasn’t aware that Prometrium is contained in a peanut oil solution. There should definitely be a warning label affixed to the pill vials. This is a good example of how compounding pharmacies can be a life-saver.

By: Christa

Christa — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:50:34 +0000

Thanks for a great article! I will certainly recommend it to my customers.
It is sad to know that the big pharmaceutical companies with their billions of dollars are able to dominate the world of medicine the way they do. Licensed medical professionals are all under strict laws and regulations when it comes to prescribing drugs to their patients, and although they sometimes would like to recommend certain natural products and therapies to their patients, they can’t for fear of losing their licenses.
Compounding has been around for centuries, but today the need is there for certain products because of individual needs. An example is the product Prometrium which is a natural micronized progesterone. However, it is in a solution which contains peanut oil. If a woman is allergic to peanuts she will not be able to use Prometrium. This is then that a compounding pharmacist may be able to give her a product free of peanut oil.

By: Compounding Pharmacies Rule! « The Compounder’s Forum

Compounding Pharmacies Rule! « The Compounder’s Forum — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:41:34 +0000

[...] Compounding Pharmacies Rule! Published August 21, 2009 Answering the Critics , General Compounding Leave a Comment I wonder why Ascend Therapeutics, the maker of a prescription estrogen gel, has been trying to scare doctors away from compounding pharmacies with misleading information. It couldn’t be because compounding pharmacies produce a superior, customized product that is in direct competition with thier mass produced one, could it? I ran across this interview with a compounding pharmacist in San Diego who nicely sets the record straight… go to http://www.menopausetheblog.com/2009/08/18/are-compounded-hormone-products-safe-a-pharmacist-respond…. [...]

By: Peter Koshland

Peter Koshland — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:34:26 +0000

Nice article that definitely sets the record straight. Ascend Therapeutics rationale for slandering compounding pharmacies is quite obvious. Compounding pharmacies offer a superior, customized product that is in direct competition with their mass produced one.

If you don’t mind I’m going to provide a link to this article to on my blog.

Thanks.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:32:25 +0000

Thank you for providing a two sided argument.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:41:30 +0000

Wendy: In the Buzz on Bioidenticals article, “Why You should Avoid Compounded Hormone Therapy,” the writers state that “the FDA is concerned that patients may be in danger since the agency does not have oversight over compounding pharmacies and that it won’t approve compounded products because they’re not standardized.”

Christine: No pharmacy, not even the ones you find at WalMart or Walgreens, is regulated by the FDA.

I have repeatedly seen the FDA issue being used by a majority of opponents to the bioidentical hormone therapy topic, and if they were given this simple sentence it would undermine the accusation.

By: Bio Identical Hormone Specialist

Bio Identical Hormone Specialist — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:33:41 +0000

Synthetic hormones are not specially individualized to match the same type of natural hormones your body produces.