Is it possible to special-order enterically coated prescription meds?
January 14, 2013 11:58 AM Subscribe
Is it possible to special-order enterically coated prescription meds? I have acid-reflux, and a new med I'm taking is exacerbating it, despite omeprazole and other precautions.
The acid reflux is due to a small hernia I was born with. I don't make too much or too little acid, I just can't keep it where it is supposed to stay. Nonetheless, the omeprazole has largely kept the problem in check for years.
I take byetta, which significantly slows my digestion - so meds sit in my stomach longer than they probably should. Several months ago, I started taking an extremely low dose of busparine. My doc and I have slowly been ramping it up as I can tolerate. The med seems to be doing what it's supposed to (somewhat less anxiety, significantly fewer intrusive thoughts), but I am still at a very low dose and not getting the level of relief I would like. Unfortunately, my stomach's ability to tolerate the busparine has plateaued.
I have looked for enteric-coated buspar or busparine. Mostly found sketchy websites wanting to sell me meds without a scrip. I therefore don't know if buspar/ine is manufactured with an enteric coating. If not, can a med be special-ordered with the coating? If so, is it really pricy? If not, is there a reliable DIY method?
And finally, is there any reason buspar/ine in particular should be broken down while in the stomach rather than the intestines, rendering all of my above questions moot?
The acid reflux is due to a small hernia I was born with. I don't make too much or too little acid, I just can't keep it where it is supposed to stay. Nonetheless, the omeprazole has largely kept the problem in check for years.
I take byetta, which significantly slows my digestion - so meds sit in my stomach longer than they probably should. Several months ago, I started taking an extremely low dose of busparine. My doc and I have slowly been ramping it up as I can tolerate. The med seems to be doing what it's supposed to (somewhat less anxiety, significantly fewer intrusive thoughts), but I am still at a very low dose and not getting the level of relief I would like. Unfortunately, my stomach's ability to tolerate the busparine has plateaued.
I have looked for enteric-coated buspar or busparine. Mostly found sketchy websites wanting to sell me meds without a scrip. I therefore don't know if buspar/ine is manufactured with an enteric coating. If not, can a med be special-ordered with the coating? If so, is it really pricy? If not, is there a reliable DIY method?
And finally, is there any reason buspar/ine in particular should be broken down while in the stomach rather than the intestines, rendering all of my above questions moot?
You are going to want to speak to a "compounding pharmacy" near you. They will be able to answer all your questions. Ask your doctor's office if they have one that they recommend, as they can vary widely in terms of reliability. If you let me know where you live, I can check with my boss (one of the foremost veterinary compounding pharmacists in the country) if there is anyone she recommends in your area.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:03 PM on January 14, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Rock Steady at 12:03 PM on January 14, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm pretty sure that's not going to be possible. Enteric coating is typically done to tablets and not capsules. The idea of a compounding pharmacy reformulating an existing formulation with is excipients into something new, with unknown pharmacokinetics (due to the change in site/rate of release and site/rate of absorption) seems to be a not-so-good idea.
What I would do is talk to your doctor because the doses of buspirone typically used are very low and unlikely to cause direct gastric irritation. It could be that there's something else in the preparation that's irritating your stomach, or possibly some other cause.
As you know, poor regulation at compounding pharmacies has been in the news of late, and not in a positive way.
posted by scblackman at 12:16 PM on January 14, 2013
What I would do is talk to your doctor because the doses of buspirone typically used are very low and unlikely to cause direct gastric irritation. It could be that there's something else in the preparation that's irritating your stomach, or possibly some other cause.
As you know, poor regulation at compounding pharmacies has been in the news of late, and not in a positive way.
posted by scblackman at 12:16 PM on January 14, 2013
Response by poster: The generic of buspar I take is a tablet, just for clarification. And I am still not quite at the lowest typically presribed dose of 10mg
posted by tllaya at 12:37 PM on January 14, 2013
posted by tllaya at 12:37 PM on January 14, 2013
scblackman: As you know, poor regulation at compounding pharmacies has been in the news of late, and not in a positive way.
Definitely true. That's why it is important to get a reference.
posted by Rock Steady at 1:31 PM on January 14, 2013
Definitely true. That's why it is important to get a reference.
posted by Rock Steady at 1:31 PM on January 14, 2013
I get my hormones compounded at Belmar Pharmacy. I've used them for years and I trust them.
Give them a call and see what they say, I've found them to be super-helpful.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:35 PM on January 14, 2013
Give them a call and see what they say, I've found them to be super-helpful.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:35 PM on January 14, 2013
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posted by xingcat at 12:03 PM on January 14, 2013