Staying healthy or achieving a healthier lifestyle is a priority for many these days when a strong immunity can spell the difference between wellness and catching diseases. More Filipinos are turning to healthier foods and drinks, reducing meat intake, and instead of eating more vegetables and fruits, generally looking for ways to further boost their nutrition. While many can meet their nutrition needs by eating healthy, many still need that extra boost, and for this, they turn to supplements. 

 

Over-the-counter (OTC) and popular food supplements are easily accessible and are therefore widely used. But while these medicines are generally effective, the efficacy level varies mainly because of users’ different physical and health parameters. Users also react differently to mass-produced medicines, with some having allergic reactions such as skin rashes or breakouts. Many experience gastrointestinal difficulties after taking OTC drugs or worse endure some complications arising from interactions with other medicines. Others find the medicines they are taking rid the body of important nutrients by interfering with their absorption, excretion, or metabolism.

 

Recognizing the importance of boosting nutrition as one’s first defense against illnesses, Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy (AIP) offers compounded medicines tailored to individual conditions and needs. A pioneer specialty compounding pharmacy and the first licensed compounding pharmacy in the country by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), AIP strives to provide Filipinos, through partnership with their doctor, an alternative means of improving their nutrition and health instead of relying solely on the one-size-fits-all approach of mass-produced medications.

 

In light of Nutrition Month, AIP hopes to encourage more Filipinos to pursue a healthier lifestyle starting with better nutrition using compounded solutions. 

 

Better Nutrition with Compounded Medicines

Nutritional supplements play an important role in addressing nutrient deficiencies resulting from an unhealthy diet or long-term drug therapy regimens. For people unable to get all their nutrients from food sources, supplements help address the nutrition gap.

 

Compounding supplements may not be as common as compounded medicines for treatment, but the range of solutions available is increasing. AIP offers top-of-the-line solutions from basic formulas to up-to-date and in-demand supplements.

 

As prescribed, drug compounding for nutritional purposes can help users get the nutrients they need at just the right doses. Compounded supplements may contain more than two active ingredients mixed to maximize the efficacy while reducing the risk of side  effects. AIP’s Nutraceuticals line of compounded medicines is specifically developed for nutrition and immunity-boosting. Solutions include a combination of vitamins C, D, and zinc that can bolster health and prevent diseases in all stages of life.^[1]

 

Nutraceuticals is one of AIP’s most popular compounded formulations that’s best combined with a healthy diet. Consuming this as a supplement helps one achieve their overall nutrition goals.

 

When combined with a healthy diet, these nutraceuticals contribute better to health promotion. The vitamin-mineral supplements improve immune function in adults and the elderly while the supplemental nutrients help maintain energy and mental health. Calcium and vitamin D help build optimum bone mass during childhood and can address bone loss resulting from aging. Zinc reduces inflammation and boosts immune health.

 

AIP also customizes sterile solutions that contain some or all the necessary nutrients that deliver essential vitamins and minerals to the bloodstream through its IV Nutrition. The pharmacy’s top sterile IV solutions include ascorbic acid, which is necessary for collagen formation and tissue repair, and glutathione, which aids cell repair, detoxifies the body and strengthens the immune system.

 

AIP also offers through its IV Nutrition the Myer’s Cocktail, an intravenous vitamin-and-mineral formula that can improve a wide range of clinical conditions. It is used to support patients with a host of conditions ranging from immune disorders such as arthritis to chronic fatigue syndrome, sinusitis, gastrointestinal issues, food poisoning, and fibromyalgia. Some of its key ingredients are calcium for bone and teeth health, magnesium chloride for muscle regulation and nerve functions, Vitamin B complex for increased energy levels, metabolism and brain function, and Vitamin C for fast tissue repair and immune boost. The Myer’s Cocktail works by increasing the blood concentration of several essential vitamins and minerals beyond that which can be achieved when supplementing orally.

 

AIP patients may also receive Methylcobalamin and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) through IV Nutrition. The Methylcobalamin form of vitamin B12 is crucial for many vital metabolic and hormonal functions, including the production of digestive enzymes. It carries important nutrients into and out of cells and can also be used to treat certain conditions such as nerve pain. NAD, meanwhile, is a coenzyme that powers metabolic processes. 

 

Patient-Centric Approach

Nutraceuticals and IV Nutrition therapies are among the most sought-after compounded solutions from AIP, reflecting the growing demand among Filipinos for personalized supplements and medicines that cater to their specific needs and preferences.

 

Developed based on a patient-care premise, doctor prescribed compounded nutritional supplements factor in the user’s overall health condition and nutritional needs, medical and allergy history, preferences and concerns when taking medicines to ensure drug suitability and efficacy. For those that have to take more than three or four supplements a day, depending on dose and active ingredient, AIP can combine all in a single pill for easier ingestion. The pharmacy can also personalize formulas in terms of form and flavor, meaning the medicines can be in gel, capsule, liquid or even candy configuration and can have flavoring for ease of use.

 

AIP works closely with its partner doctors to find the best and most effective solution for a patient's nutritional need. AIP also offers patient counseling to help address patient medication inquiries and direct or recommend them doctors whom they can seek further medical consultations with.

 

AIP’s compounded drugs, whether they may be supplements or medicines for treating certain conditions and illnesses, are generally safe to use. Aside from complying to up-to-date regulations and standard practice for compounded preparations set by the Philippine FDA, AIP also adheres to USP (United States Pharmacopoeia) grade active ingredients to assure clients of excellent-quality products.