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Dosage Forms

Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms

One of the best capabilities of a compounding pharmacy is the ability to change the dosage form of medications.

Numerous options exist for patients who cannot take, have not responded to, or have experienced adverse effects from commercially available medications. Compounding can make alterations to the drug to alleviate these issues.

We can place the needed medication into the dosage form or base most suitable for treating a specific problem (e.g., a lollipop can be perfect for keeping an antibiotic or antifungal in contact with an infected area in the mouth)

Types of Dosage Forms

Our compounding professionals can provide additional therapeutic options by preparing needed medication in alternate dosage forms. Troches, suppositories, and transdermal gels eliminate the need to swallow tablets or capsules and avoid the discomfort and inconvenience of injections.

The opposite preference may also be true. Patients can have capsules compounded if they do not want to take liquid medication. Our compounding pharmacy can make that change.

There are 3 primary dosage forms for medications:

Solid Forms

These include oral medications, such as capsules, troches, and lollipops. They can dissolve in the mouth, digest in the stomach, or be absorbed through the anal cavity.

Below are the different solid forms of medication.

Troches & Mini-Troches

Troches are lozenges that can be placed between the cheek and gum to dissolve, allowing medication to be absorbed through the oral mucosa.

They are comparable to hard candy in consistency and size. Troches can be flavored and are great for people who have difficulty swallowing medication.

Mini-troches can also be made in our lab for smaller doses.

Rapid Dissolve Tablets (RDTs)

RDTs are another excellent option for people with difficulty swallowing capsules or pills.

Rapid dissolve tablets do exactly what their name implies and dissolve in the mouth within seconds.

The medication goes directly into the bloodstream from the mouth and avoids the stomach. Not many compounding pharmacies can make RDTs, but ClearSpring can!

Lollipops

Lollipops are a very popular form of administering medication. This method of delivering medication makes sense for preventing pain in the mouth and throat.

This includes healing after oral procedures such as root canals or tonsillectomies. They are also an excellent option for children averse to other medication forms.

We carry tetracaine lollipops in stock for any immediate needs.

Suppositories

Suppositories are a traditional alternative dosage form.

Unique designs such as the “rectal rocket” facilitate simultaneous internal and external administration of medications to treat hemorrhoids and other conditions.

Capsules

A tried and true form of medication. We can compound capsules with the medication you need without the fillers that may cause irritation.

Capsule sizes can be customized to fit the patient’s needs.

We can reduce the number of daily pills by fitting two or more medications into one capsule. This also increases medication adherence.

Semi-Solid Forms

These medications include creams, gels, and foams. They are typically applied transdermally and absorbed through the skin.

Hormones, wound healing, and pain medications are often prescribed through semi-solid forms.

Below are the different semi-solid forms we offer:

Creams & Ointments

Our specialized equipment allows us to compound formulations containing much higher concentrations of active ingredients than traditional methods.

Gels

Gels work similarly to creams and ointments but are a bit thicker. This allows the medication to be present on the surface where it is applied.

Gels can also be used orally to reduce pain or infection after dental procedures.

Foams

Foams are softer and applied transdermally. They provide a larger surface area for the drug to take effect.

Some clients may prefer foam, though it is not functionally different from other semi-solid forms of medication.

Liquid

Liquid forms are made to be ingested or sprayed nasally. These solutions may be customized for taste and consistency preferences.

See below for the liquid medications we provide:

Suspension and Solutions

Elixirs, syrups, and suspensions may contain preservatives (such as alcohol), which can cause reactions or gastrointestinal irritation. Sugar is also often included and can make the medication undesirable for patients with diabetes.

Our compounding specialists can prepare sugar‐free and preservative‐free dosage forms.

If a patient is allergic to a dye or other excipient or has lactose intolerance, we can compound the medication without the problem‐causing additives.

Nasal Sprays

Nasal sprays are great for seasonal allergies and ENT conditions. These sprays allow for direct application to the affected area.

This also may reduce the risk of side effects by reducing the amount of drug the patient absorbs systemically.

Taking lower doses is helpful for drugs such as ketamine and naltrexone.

Injectable Sterile Solutions

Injectable medications must be completely sterile. This is because injections bypass our digestive system and other defenses our body implements.

We are one of few compounding pharmacies that can make completely sterile compounds. Our PCAB accreditation shows how our state-of-the-art lab follows necessary and strict sanitary guidelines.

Don’t See a Form You Like? Reach Out to Us!

Above are the primary forms we provide for our clients, but we can make almost anything other compounding pharmacies can.

If there is a type of medication that you are interested in, please feel free to reach out!

Fill out the form on this page, and we will respond promptly. We have two lovely locations that you can call in Cherry Creek and Littleton.

You can also text our lines directly:
Littleton: 303-707-1500
Cherry Creek: 303-333-2010

Check out our social media platforms for interesting videos of the lab, and don’t hesitate to reach out!