MAIN CONDITIONS
CANCER
Cancer is defined as the uncontrollable growth and spreading of abnormal cells in the body. The recommended treatment depends on the type of cancer and the stage it is discovered in. This could include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapies and immunotherapies. The goal of every type of therapy is to help patients maintain a high quality of life. At Alivia Specialty Pharmacy, we are prepared to help and support you with your medication therapy. For more information about this condition, visit the following websites: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer or https://www.cancer.org/
There are multiple treatments available depending on the type of cancer, including intravenous and oral therapies. Most intravenous therapies are administered at Oncological Centers. Our fully stocked inventory includes the medications you need, ready to be delivered to you or your physician, as required.
ENDOMETRIOSIS
Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue that normally grows inside the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can grow on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowels, or bladder. This misplaced tissue can cause pain, infertility and heavy periods. For more information about this condition and its possible causes, visit: https://medlineplus.gov/endometriosis.html
HEPATITIS C
Hepatitis C is the inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. Many people that have this condition have not been diagnosed. For many years, the treatment for this condition included various types of medications for an extended period of time. Recently, innovative therapies have become available in the market to treat Hepatitis C with far simpler regimens for a much shorter period of time. For more information about this condition, visit: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/viral-hepatitis/hepatitis-c
IMMUNE
THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA (ITP)
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a bleeding disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets, which are necessary for normal blood clotting. Symptoms may include abnormally heavy periods in women, bleeding into the skin, easy bruising, nosebleed, among others. For more information about this disorder and its possible causes, visit: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000535.htm
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. This condition causes damage to myelin, the protective coating of neurons. This affects the transmission of nerve impulses. The disease can manifest in several ways, affecting some patients more aggressively than others. Initial symptoms may include weakness, numbness, tingling and blurry vision. The sooner this condition is treated, the better you’ll respond to treatment to maintain the best lifestyle possible. For more information about this condition, visit: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000737.htm
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes a decrease in bone density, which in turn increases the susceptibility to fractures. The first line of treatment includes medications classified as bisphosphonates. In most cases, your physician will start treatment with an oral bisphosphonate, which you’d take on a daily basis to obtain the best results. Because oral bisphosphonates may cause gastrointestinal side effects, a specialty medication may be the best alternative for you. For more information about this condition, visit: https://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/osteoporosis_hoh.asp
OSTEOPOROSIS
PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS OR PSORIASIS
Psoriasis is a chronic skin illness characterized by the presence of dry rash on the skin, in the form of scales, which cause considerable discomfort and a burning sensation. This skin rash is more common in exposed areas such as elbows, knees and the scalp. For more information about your condition, visit: https://medlineplus.gov/psoriasis.html
In around 30% of patients, this condition can be accompanied by joint pain, which is defined as psoriatic arthritis. The way the condition progresses differs from patient to patient. Most people are able to live a normal life. However, some people report chronic joint pain and cannot use limbs affected by the arthritis. For more information about this condition, visit the following web page: http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/psoriatic-arthritis/what-is-psoriatic-arthritis.php
If your physician certifies a medical need, you may be a candidate to receive specialty medications to manage your condition.
CROHN’S DISEASE
Crohn’s Disease is an inflammatory disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the back passage. The most common symptoms for this condition are abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever and weight loss. If it is not treated effectively, the condition may cause serious complications including anemia and arthritis, among others. For more information about this condition, visit: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000249.htm
Hemophilia is a hereditary condition that affects the body’s ability to coagulate blood. People who are born with hemophilia are born with a deficiency in one coagulation factor. There are two types of hemophilia: hemophilia A, which is characterized by low levels of coagulation factor VIII (8) and hemophilia B, which is characterized by low levels of coagulation factor IX (9). The main treatment for this condition consists of compensating for deficiencies in these coagulation factors. There are times when this type of therapy may bring some complications, such as: development of antibodies, viral infections, joint or muscle damage. At Best Option Specialty Pharmacy, we are prepared to help you manage your condition to prevent complications that may arise with your treatment. For more information of this condition, visit the Puerto Rican Hemophilia Association’s at La Asociación Puertorriqueña de Hemofilia.
HEMOPHILIA
HIV/AIDS
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks CD4+ T cells in the immune system, causing a progressive decrease in the amount of CD4+ cells. This decrease in CD4+ cells causes the body to not be able to effectively fight germs. HIV is transmitted through blood, semen and vaginal secretions. The main therapy for HIV patients is known as the anti-retroviral therapy. It is recommended for all patients who are infected with HIV to allow them to have a healthy and productive life. For more information about this condition, visit: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs360/en/.
There are innovative medications to treat HIV that can help you to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to manage your condition adequately. Your physician will determine which will be a better alternative for you. We are here to serve you and support you with your treatment as soon as we receive your prescription. For more information about the medications for this condition, visit: http://www.aidsmeds.com/
IMMUNODEFICIENCIES
The immune system protects your body from infections caused by external agents, such as viruses or bacteria. Immunodeficiency diseases are usually hereditary and caused by deficiencies in cell genes that make up the immune system. People who suffer from this type of condition are at a greater risk of infection and will take longer to heal, even with the proper treatment. For more information about this condition, visit this website: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000818.htm.
If you suffer from an immunological deficiency, your physician may prescribe a specialty medication to help you prevent infections.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
Osteoarthritis is characterized by damage to joints and bone cartilage. Common symptoms for this condition are joint pain, numbing and swelling. For patients that have severe osteoarthritis, a physician may prescribe a specialty medication to help improve and manage symptoms. To learn more about this condition, visit: https://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_info/Osteoarthritis/default.asp
PAROXYSMAL
NOCTURNAL HEMOGLOBINURIA
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a disease in which red blood cells break apart earlier than normal. It can cause symptoms such as: abdominal pain, back pain, dark urine, easy bruising or bleeding, headache, shortness of breath, among others. For more information about this disease and possible causes, visit: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000534.htm
RHEUMATOID ARTHTITIS
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune condition that can cause pain, swelling and numbing of joints. To avoid permanent damage, you should treat your condition as soon as possible. For more information about this condition, visit: https://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rheumatic_Disease/rheumatoid_arthritis_ff.pdf
TRANSPLANTS
If you are a transplant patient, you need to follow a complex medication regimen to help your body live healthily with your new organ. Our pharmacy team is here to help you get the necessary approvals from your health plan. In addition, we offer you all the information you need to effectively comply with your medication therapy. Our licensed pharmacists are available to offer you any information you may need and to talk to you about possible side effects from your medication therapy. By educating you, we help you become a member of your healthcare team to achieve the best results for your health.
