The Clinical Pharmacist's Role in Compounding for the Diabetic Patient
Author(s): Harshbarger Robert, Harshbarger Diana
Issue: Mar/Apr 2000 - Compounding for Diabetes Patients
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Page(s): 84-87
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Abstract: Pharmacists are an indispensable part of the health-care team and must ensure that patients with diabetes are compliant in the proper use of their medications. The authors discuss the approach they use in their pharmacy, The Medicine Shoppe, in Kingsport, TN. This pharmacy has several pharmacists on staff, as well as a diabetes educator and registered nurses, and provides full counseling in an unintimidating environment. The authors also discuss medications and factors to be taken into consideration, neuropathy, foot and wound care, diabetic retinopathy, periodontal disease, gastroparesis, erectile dysfunction, alternative routes for insulin delivery, edetate sodium therapy and nutritional supplements (vanadyl sulfate, chromium and vitamin B12). They conclude that compounding pharmacists have a great opportunity to help meet diabetic patients’ needs by teaching them to monitor their disease through proper counseling and record keeping. With recommendations and use of compounding dosage forms, they also help diabetic patients live longer and healthier lives.
Related Keywords: counseling, monitoring, diabetic, compounding pharmacist, diabetes, lifestyle changes, blood-sugar levels, polypharmacy, hypoglycemia, neuropathy, peripheral neuropathies, pain, diabetic retinopathy, periodontal disease, hyperglycemia, gastroparesis, erectile dysfunction, insulin delivery, edetate sodium therapy, nutritional supplements, multivitamin, vanadyl sulfate, homocysteine, taurine, chromium, magnesium, flaxseed oil, vitamin B12