One of the oldest treatments for epilepsy is the ketogenic diet, particularly in children with difficult-to-control seizures. The ketogenic diet is a special high-fat, low carbohydrate diet recommend for children whose seizures are unresponsive to treatment with traditional anticonvulsant drugs alone.
A high level of carb intake can be associated with the lack of seizure control. Change in the diet to reduce the intake of high carbohydrate foods is the foundation of the ketogenic diet.
Noteworthy News
Along with dietary changes and monitoring the nutritional intake, compounded medicines that conform to the ketogenic diet can be taken to enhance the efficacy of the diet in controlling seizures.
Compounded pharmacy medications are an excellent alternative to commercially produced drugs as they contain no sugar or sorbitol and are carbohydrate free.
American Integrative Pharmacy (AIP), led by Dr. Neema Yazdanpanah, provides compounded medications to patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, Southern California areas, and nationwide.
Keto Diet for Children
A classic example of a patient who cannot take commercially available medications is a child on a ketogenic diet. This diet is a treatment option for young children with unmanageable, catastrophic epilepsy or inborn metabolic defects involving glucose metabolism.
A majority of children remain on the ketogenic diet for two to three years and must be overseen by a team of medical care professionals comprising neurologists, nurses, pharmacists, and dieticians.
A Better Way to Give Your Child Medication
Modern pharmacy compounding is the process of creating customized drugs for specific patients. Rather than commercially available medications, drugs that fit the dietary and nutritional specifications of a ketogenic diet are compounded using the raw chemical.
There may be the presence of lactose and other carbohydrates in commercially available tablets and liquid forms of drugs, which reduce the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in controlling seizures.
It is advisable to use liquid medications rather than crushing tablets and dissolving them in a liquid. The particles of the crushed tablet may not dissolve entirely, and there is a risk of obstructing a feeding tube.
While many commercially available liquids do not clog the feeding tube, but may contain carbs or sugar. The components used in specially compounded liquid drugs conform to the guidelines of the ketogenic diet.
A compounding pharmacist, working with the child’s pediatrician can prescribe meds for:
- Seizure-control medicines
- Antibiotics
- Electrolyte replacement solutions
- Cough/cold remedies
- Supplement suspensions
- OTC medications
- Fever reducers
Liquid medications are often fitted with an adapt-a-cap and syringe. This makes it convenient for parents to administer the correct dose available in the following flavors. Below are the carb-free, sugar-free flavors that help mask the bitter taste of the medication:
- Grape
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Orange
- Bubble Gum
Note: Please inquire with the pharmacists on which flavors are appropriate for use in the ketogenic diet treatment approach.
To ensure that the child’s medication is compliant with the ketogenic diet treatment approach, specially compounded medicines are an excellent way.
An alternative to Diazepam Rectal Gel
In consultation with other medical specialists in the field of pediatric epilepsy, HB pharmacy provides benzodiazepines similar to diazepam but developed into a specially compounded nasal spray used for Grand Mal Seizures or Cluster Seizures.
These represent an alternative to rectally placed gels. This makes it more convenient and less embarrassing to deliver the drug during emergency circumstances.
American Integrative Pharmacy offers both modern and traditional compounding solutions, including online prescription refills, to patients in Long Beach, Torrance, Los Angeles, South Bay Orange County, Southern California areas, and nationwide.
For more information on compound pharmacy medications available or to make an online prescription purchase, please click here or call Toll Free 1-855-247-7948.
American Integrative Pharmacy is located in Lomita, CA serving residents in and around Orange County, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Torrance and surrounding areas. Online prescription sales are available across the US.
