What to do when standard painkillers don’t work

Experiencing pain is, quite literally, a pain. While standard pain medications work well for many, they aren’t always the right solution for everyone. If you’ve been struggling to find adequate relief through standard prescription pain medications, it may be time to discuss alternative options with your prescriber.

Why standard medications don’t always work

For many people, standard prescription pain medications can fall short for several reasons:

• Everyone is different – Pain isn’t one-size-fits-all. Everyone varies in size, symptoms and pain tolerance. Standard doses might be too strong for some or not quite strong enough for others, leaving you without the relief you need.
• Side effects – Medications designed to relieve pain can sometimes come with side effects like drowsiness, dizziness or stomach irritation. These unwanted effects might make it harder to stick with the treatment.
• Limited medication forms – Most standard pain medications are available in traditional forms like pills or capsules. However, these may not be suitable for people who have difficulty swallowing or experience side effects like stomach irritation.
• Concerns about addiction – Some pain relief medications contain ingredients that carry a risk of addiction, particularly when used over an extended period. Finding a safe and effective treatment can feel especially tricky for those with these concerns.
• Mixing medications – If you’re managing other health conditions alongside your pain, taking multiple medications can increase the risk of drug interactions. Standard pain medications might not always play nicely with the rest of your treatment plan.

Do any of these challenges sound familiar? Keep reading to discover how personalised medication could help.

What are personalised medications, and why are they different?

Personalised medicines, also known as compounded and specials medicines, can be provided when standard medications aren’t suitable.

When it comes to managing pain effectively, compounded treatments offer a personalised and targeted solution. These custom-made formulations are designed specifically to address your medical needs, combining the right blend of active pharmaceutical ingredients to address your pain. Whether you require a muscle relaxant, an anti-inflammatory, a combination of both or other options, your prescriber and our clinical services team work together to create a treatment that fits your individual clinical needs.

This approach means you can benefit from:

• Direct relief: Personalised medications can be designed so the medicine is delivered straight to the source of your pain. For example, topical or permeation-enhancing treatments like creams or gels can deliver relief to a specific area.
• Customised solutions: Ingredients are tailored to your specific needs, whether it’s relieving muscle tension, reducing inflammation, targeting nerve pain or something else, our pharmacists can develop the right formulation for you.
• Fewer side effects: By personalising the medication regimes, compounded medications can minimise drug interactions and side effects. It also bypasses the digestive system, reducing side effects associated with oral medications.

Compounded treatments offer a practical, effective way to manage pain—helping you feel more in control and comfortable in your daily life.

Personalised pain medication in action…1

Take the case of Jayne (name anonymised for privacy), who was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease after a series of injuries. This is a chronic condition that causes severe lower back pain, and for Jayne, it significantly impacted her quality of life.

She tried various approaches, including chiropractic care, physical therapy and yoga, but these only provided temporary, minimal relief. Over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs and even injections offered little improvement.

As her pain persisted, Jayne’s once-active lifestyle diminished, and she could only manage essential physical activities.

After consulting with her doctor, Jayne was prescribed a personalised pain cream made to suit her specific needs. The cream consisted of ingredients that worked to ease muscle tension, reduce pain and swelling and ensure the medications were absorbed effectively through the skin to reached deeper tissues.

Jayne reported:

• Instant relief upon application.
• No adverse reactions.
• A significant reduction in her pain score (from 10 to 2).
• A notable improvement in her physical function.

This personalised approach provided Jayne with the targeted, effective relief she had been searching for.

Curious about compounded topical solutions? Ask your doctor

If you’ve been struggling to manage chronic or localised pain, compounded topical / permeation-enhancing cream, gel or solutions could be exactly what you need. Unlike over-the-counter creams or mass-produced medications, compounded solutions are custom-made working closely with a prescribing doctor to ensure the treatment is customised for your medical needs.

How to take the next step

If you’re curious about whether this option is right for you:

• Start the conversation: Speak with your doctor about your pain and ask whether compounded medicines might help. If they’re unfamiliar with these treatments, they can refer you to a private prescriber who specialises in pain management.
• Find a private prescriber: Use our tool on our website to find a prescriber for personalised medicines near you.

When it comes to medicine, for us it’s personal.

We are dedicated to your well-being and believe your treatment should be as unique as you are. By collaborating closely with your private doctor, we create customised pain relief solutions that empower you to live a more comfortable and active life.
Click here to learn more about our services and how personalised treatments could help manage your pain. Take the first step toward relief today.

1 – https://beta.pccarx.com/pdf_files/99788_CS_Lipoderm_DDD.pdf