by Eugene Papantoniou | Jun 25, 2015 | Uncategorized
Given that research has shown that low dose naltrexone (LDN) can have powerful immune modulating effects, it would seem worthwhile to examine the use of low dose naltrexone in patients who are afflicted with IBS and IBD, or inflammatory bowel disease. The two main types of IBD, Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis, can lead to debilitating complications and often leave patients with a lowered quality of life. While certain prescription medications can often lead to decreased symptoms and improved quality of life for patients, they may do so at the cost of side effects that can be intolerable to come patients. While the use of low dose naltrexone in Crohn’s and UC is not meant in any way to replace traditional prescription medications that are approved to treat these conditions, some patients may benefit from LDN therapy. One open-label pilot study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology found that Crohn’s patients who received 4.5mg of low dose naltrexone once daily at bedtime. In this study, 89% of patients responded to therapy, while 67% achieved a remission in symptoms. It should be noted that in this study, low dose naltrexone was added on to a patients current medication therapy. Another recent systematic review looked at 2 different studies – one in adults and one in pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease. In both studies, both adult and pediatric patients received a dose of 4.5mg of naltrexone, which as we’ve discussed before is often considered the “gold standard” in terms of dose for low dose naltrexone. Each study produced outcomes that appear promising concerning the use of low dose naltrexone in helping...
by Eugene Papantoniou | Jun 9, 2015 | Compounded Medications
Veterinary Compounding: Anti-Seizure Therapy Does your pet struggle with seizures? Is your pet having a difficult time taking their seizure medication? Is your pet’s medication is available in an appropriate strength for their size and weight? Do they have intolerable side effects to their current seizure medication? Does your pet has other health concerns (liver issues)? If so, your veterinarian may have a narrowed set of anti-seizure treatment choices available for your pet. Don’t fear! It is in moments like this that veterinary compounding can help. What commonly prescribed anti-seizure options are available for pets? Phenobarbital – Has to be given twice a day and over time may cause liver damage (WebMD). Also this medication is a controlled substance and not all veterinarians can prescribe it. Neurontin (gabapentin) – Only available as large tablets or capsules in high doses meant for humans. Lyrica (pregabalin) – Only available in limited strengths in capsules and is a controlled substance as well. Typically used for humans. So how can veterinary compounding help my pet? Neurontin (gabapentin) – We can mix it in a liquid with an appropriate flavor; paying close attention to your pet’s dosing needs. Also we can place your pet’s specific dose into a single capsule simplifying your pet’s regimen. Potassium Bromide – We can mix it in a liquid with an appropriate flavor; paying close attention to your pet’s dosing needs. Also we can place your pet’s specific dose into a single capsule simplifying your pet’s regimen. Also, potassium bromide is not processed through your pet’s liver making it an ideal choice for young pet and long term use (WebMD)....
by Eugene Papantoniou | Jun 3, 2015 | Compounded Medications
Just in case you didn’t have the chance to read it yet, be sure to check out Part 1 of our series on Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)! Picking up right where we left off last time, researchers have discovered that naltrexone, when given in a dose of 4.5 mg each night at bedtime, appears to work via “boosting” or “priming” the immune system. Upon the discovery that immune cells throughout the body have opioid receptors (the receptors that naltrexone bind to), it was theorized that by taking naltrexone each night at bedtime, an interesting thing might occur – it’s believed that certain elements of the immune system will be “boosted”, such as endorphins and enkephalins. These elements are critical in the regulation of pain and immune function, and are believed to be key in how low dose naltrexone may be helpful in certain conditions such as fibromyalgia. One study conducted in normal volunteers, for example, showed a marked increase in beta-endorphin blood levels in the days following taking low dose naltrexone as described above. Given that low dose naltrexone appears to work via altering and enhancing the immune system, it would follow that it may be helpful in conditions where the immune system plays a vital role in that condition. For example, low dose naltrexone appears to help reduce some symptoms of fibromyalgia, as demonstrated in small scale clinical trials. In one trial, for example, 60% of patients reported a reduction in fibromyalgia symptoms. Encouragingly, no serious side effects were reported during the study, although a small number of participants reported vivid dreams. Another small study in women found...
by Eugene Papantoniou | Jun 2, 2015 | Medication Therapy Management
In our fast paced society, we far too often trade quality for value, personal service for a corporate feel, and true customer service for convenience. Why is that? A perfect example is to think about the differences between a backyard cookout versus a fast food burger store. Every industry at some point eventually goes through this same struggle and the pharmacy industry is no different. So why can’t we have the best of both worlds: quality, value, personal service, true customer service, and convenience? The answer is an independent community pharmacy. How are independent pharmacies different? Independent community pharmacies are owned and operated by pharmacists and privately held which allows the pharmacist to provide superior personalized patient care rather than focusing on meeting corporate business performance indicators. In addition, it allows the pharmacist to be easily available to provide much needed medication services: prescription counseling, medication therapy management, patient-centered care, and medication adherence training. According to the National Community Pharmacy Association: Independent community pharmacists consult with physicians and other health care professionals about 8.7 times daily on drug therapy. When independent community pharmacists recommend therapeutic changes to prescribers, 78% of the recommendations are accepted. By closely working with your physician, your pharmacist can help integrally to ensure your medication and healthcare needs are fully addressed. We call this the “triad” relationship. We believe in it so much we made it part of our name. At Trinova Health our value of independence is not only seen…it is felt! Stop by and see for yourself today! Dr. Silas...
by Eugene Papantoniou | Jun 1, 2015 | Compounded Medications
Do you have a hard time giving your pets medication? As a full service compounding pharmacy, Trinova Health can help by changing your pets medication in multiple ways. We can compound the medication to a more easily administered form (such as from a pill to a liquid or transdermal gel), or to add a flavor more palatable for your pet. Whether your pet has fur, feathers, a shell, or scales we can help! Compounding for animals is an essential function we serve at Trinova Health, simply due to the fact that many medications that pets need aren’t available in a commercially manufactured form! This means that quite a few medications for pets come in ways that pets simply don’t like – things like capsules and tablets that taste terrible to your pet. Through the power of compounding, we have the ability to transform your pets medication into a form that they love – making your life and theirs much easier! Pharmacists are animal lovers too and are equally delighted to provide their medication expertise to provide care to animals of all sizes. As an avid and devoted pet owner, I know the challenges faced when medications are required for my pets. Our pharmacists have had the privilege and challenge of helping develop unique ways to deliver medications for a variety of species. Please contact us today to see how we can help....
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