Thanks to consumer-led health campaigns, food labels are clearer about which and how much additives are in our food. Unfortunately, the same cannot always be said about the medicines we take. According to a recent British study, “effervescent” versions of medications (those that provide a sparkling, fizzy, bubbly effect) have high levels of sodium, which increases users’ risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events. The fact is that drug manufacturers sometimes add inactive ingredients to their products such as preservatives, dyes, flavorings, sweeteners, and bulking agents with the intent of improving their appearance, flavor, texture, and shelf life. If this concerns you, a compounding pharmacist can make medications to order, leaving out unwanted and unnecessary additives.
Hint: The FDA has approved more than 700 different additives for use in prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
As mentioned above, almost all packaged foods require an up-to-date, easy-to-use nutrition information guide. But, do you know what is in the medications that you take? Our pharmacist will do more than fill prescriptions and answer questions; they care about your overall well being and are happy to talk to you about your health. At Med-Fast Pharmacy we encourage those who have questions about any of the medications you take to come in and see us. We not only have 12 retail locations, but we also have a compounding pharmacy that can formulate a medication specially for you. If you are concerned about allergies and additives, talk to your doctor or pharmacist and see if compounding medications is the right choice for you.
