Maida Pharmacy Blog

Two of the continuing factors to the shortage, according to the American Society of Health System Pharmacistsare:

• Several desiccated thyroid products from other manufacturers (which were not FDA approved) have been discontinued.
• Forest Laboratories, Inc. points to a shortage of raw materials as the main reason for the shortage of Armour Thyroid.

The more troubling information is that Forrest cannot estimate when the shortage will subside or when back orders may be filled. While synthetic hormone replacement therapies are available such as Synthroid or Levoxyl, or the generic, levothyroxine, for many these are not viable options. For many of those that have met with success taking Armour Thyroid, switching to synthetics has not resulted with the same positive results.  The reason for this, may be, the variations between natural and synthetic options. Natural solutions contain thyroxine and triiodothyronine while synthetics contain thyroxine only, which is meant to create the triiodothyronine your body needs, derived from the thyroxine. For many, this is not the result.
So what options remain? Many compounding pharmacies across the nation, including Maida Pharmacy in Arlington, MA, have offered a viable solution.  Not a generic substitute, the compounding pharmacies are able to take concentrated Armour Thyroid and compound it into the required prescription for patients. In the state of Massachusetts, you will still need to have a prescription written by your doctor to receive the compounded medication. The medication should, however, be covered by your insurance.
For more information on getting the hormone replacement therapy you need for your hypothyroidism, contact your physician and Maida Pharmacy today at 781.643.7840.

A Compounding Case Study
Post by Maida Pharmacy on September 4, 2009

For those unfamiliar with the practice of compounding pharmaceuticals, we wanted to share a case study to illustrate how prescribing to the patient rather than the illness alone can yield remarkable results, often for patients that thought they could not find a solution to fit their unique mixture of symptoms.
Please note, that in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, any pharmaceuticals must be prescribed by a physician. Maida Pharmacy does not prescribe, rather we work with your physician to find solutions that resolve or minimize your unique set of conditions.

The Patient and the Conditions
A 64-year old gentleman presented with post-herpetic neuralgia and arthritis in the shoulder, both conditions unrelated but causing equal pain and discomfort on a daily basis.

The Symptoms
Post Herpetic Neuralgia is the result of late in life shingles resulting in debilitating pain in the form of shooting and stabbing pains as well as pain radiating down the arm. Arthritis in the shoulder is the lingering effects of two previous rotator cuff surgeries on both arms. The gentleman is experiencing discomfort in both shoulders, with the left shoulder presenting as more troublesome.

The Pharmaceutical Solutions
The goal for both set of symptoms is to minimize the pain experience to make day-to-day living more comfortable.
Post Herpetic Neuralgia Therapy:

• Begin with a Lidocaine 5%/ Ketoprofen 10%/ Amitriptyline 2% transdermal cream put into a vanpen cream
• Apply topically to the area where the majority of the pain is felt
• Locate where dermatones are involved and apply there as well
• (Adjust percentages of the active ingredients based on the relief experiences by the patient)

• Topical transdermal gel containing Magnesium Chloride 15%/ Ketoprofen 1-%/ Lidocaine 5%
• Apply topically to shoulder
• (Can titrate the percentage of each active ingredient as necessity by patient's level of relief)

Follow-up Results
The Post-Herpetic Neuralgia transdermal cream was applied to the gentleman's dermatomes and affected trigger points which allowed for the neuropathy (the tingling numbness) to subside. He also applied the cream to the tip of his fingers and received relief there as well. Previously, the patient had been taking oral dosages of Gabapentin for the same condition and received no relief coupled with unwanted side effects.
After applying the transdermal gel directly to his shoulders for the treatment of his arthritis, the gentleman felt immediate relief which he stated lasted for 8 hours. He also said that he was able to fully rotate his arms and use his shoulders to the entire extent, which he was not previously able to do.

Choosing BHRT: Why Women are Preferring Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
A top ten list of reasons why BHRT is preferable to conventional methods
Post by Christy Schmidt on August 12, 2009

From Suzanne Somers and Oprah Winfrey to the FDA and WebMD, there has been a recent flurry of discussions and disputes about the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for relief of women's menopausal symptoms. More recently, the clash of ideas and attitudes has been aimed at the preference of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) over conventional HRT.

Although these arguments seem to be somewhat newly emerging, these treatments have been around for much longer than many assume. Doctors have been trying to treat menopause since 1930, and the first uses of HRT were being marketed in the United States by the early 40s. Unfortunately for the producers of these HRT drugs, the mid-70s saw a decrease in use due to links between oestrogen and endometrial cancer. This decline led to the development of BHRT as an alternative to HRT.

Whether you believe it is good, bad, wrong or right, there are some facts that must be laid out on the table. We have compiled a Top 10 list of the reasons that women may be choosing BHRT over synthetic hormones and conventional HRT.

1. First, and perhaps most importantly, studies have revealed that while Bioidentical HRT and conventional HRT are similarly used for the relief of menopausal symptoms in women, BHRT is more effective in treating the symptoms for which it is prescribed with far less side effects (Everything Menopause). BHRT is seen as an actual solution to the problem whereas conventional methods of HRT may just be a Band-Aid to cover up the real issues. Now, just on the surface level, if studies suggested that medicine A works better than medicine B with less side effects, which would you choose? Me too. But it goes deeper...