What is an intrathecal pain pump?
A device implanted in the body that delivers very small quantities of pain medication, directly to the fluid around the spinal cord.
The dose of the medications delivered through the pump are very low , often less than 1% of what the oral dose of the same medication would be.
Why would someone want or need an implanted pain pump (intrathecal pump) in their body to deliver medication for pain or spasticity?
- It can provide pain relief in patients who cannot achieve adequate pain control, even with high doses of oral opioid medications.
- Smaller doses are delivered, and side effects are minimized compared to those often experienced with larger oral doses of the same medications
“Intrathecal drug delivery offers patients a way to experience pain relief using a fraction of an oral medication dose, which can help to minimize the uncomfortable and sometimes intolerable side effects (e.g., drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and constipation) that often accompany pain medication taken orally.”
Town & Country Compounding Makes Pain Medications for Intrathecal Pumps
We can make the medication for the patient whether the patient is getting a refill in the doctor’s office or at their home through a home care service.
Watch the video: Medication refill in the implanted pump
The medication is injected into the pump that has been surgically placed in the abdomen. The refill is done by a doctor, or a nurse who has been specifically trained for it; it requires specific techniques.
The refill is done either in the doctor’s office, or, at home through a homecare company for patients who need care at home.
Possible Benefits of Targeted Drug Delivery with an Intrathecal Pump
- Improved quality of life & ability to function
- Pain Relief
- Reduction in oral medication
- More cost-effective than conventional solutions
What patients may benefit from a pain pump?
- Chronic severe pain
- Chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Failed back surgery syndrome (continued chronic pain after surgery)
- Cancer-related pain
- Arachnoiditis
Pain pumps can also help with spasticity that often occurs in patients with:
- Cerebral palsy (CP)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
Why would a patient need pump refills and management at home?
“Patient social support systems, distance to a health care facility, availability of reliable transportation, and insurance coverage are also factors to consider in patients with chronic pain who may receive intrathecal medication therapy.”
When you get your pump implanted, you may choose to go to your doctor’s office for your intrathecal pump medication refills. However, patients with more serious medical conditions and physical limitations may benefit by using services that would help with intrathecal pump pain management in their home. Your doctor can determine if that would be an option for you.
What Does the Research Say?
Patients report a reduction in pain scores after receiving targeted drug delivery.
- 51% of patients completely eliminated other opioids* at 12 months.
- 87% of patients rated their quality of life as fair to excellent.
- 90% of patients would recommend therapy to a family member or friend.
Source: Explore the Benefits of Targeted Drug Delivery | Medtronic.com
Patient Satisfaction Following Intrathecal Targeted Drug Delivery for Benign Chronic Pain: Results of a Single-Center Survey Study
David M Schults, Vwaire Orhurhu, Faizan Khan, Jonathan M Hagedom, Alaa Abd-Elsayed
The study concluded that there was a high level of satisfaction among patients using intrathecal targeted drug delivery; it can improve quality of life. Many of the 443 patients who completed the survey reported a decrease in pain and a decrease in opioid use with complete discontinuation in almost 39%. Many also reported improvement in physical function.
Town & Country Compounding Sterile Lab Suite
The sterile lab suite at Town & Country Compounding has multiple labs (ISO certified rooms) where injectable medications, intravenous (IV) solutions, ophthalmic eyedrops, intravitreal injections, intrathecal infusions for targeted drug delivery, and other sterile medications are prepared.
The labs (ISO certified rooms) are separated depending on the types of drugs that are compounded in each, positive pressure rooms for non-hazardous sterile medication and negative pressure rooms for hazardous sterile medication.
- USP 797 (ISO 7 certified positive pressure buffer room) (non-hazardous drugs)
- USP 797 ISO 8 positive pressure ante room
- USP 797/800 (ISO 7 certified negative pressure Buffer room)
(hazardous drugs) - USP 797/800 (ISO 7 certified negative pressure ante room (hazardous drugs)
- ISO 8 certified positive pressure hand scrubbing and gowning room
Our sterile suite is made up of 5 different rooms in which we only prepare sterile products. There is special anti-microbial epoxy flooring that is resistant to bacterial and fungal growth.
We utilize a Plascore® pharmaceutical grade wall and ceiling system constructed of welded steel and aluminum panels which provide antimicrobial surfaces and are chemically welded together.
The quality and standards of our labs are the same standards that Pharma uses even though we are much smaller than a huge drug manufacturer. In fact, we work with pharma, universities, physician groups for early phase drug development or clinical trials.
Town & Country Compounding Is Compliant and goes beyond the requirements of USP 795, USP 797, and USP 800 Guidelines
Our profession has adopted new rules and regulations from the State Board of Pharmacy and the USP (United States Pharmacopeia). We are USP 800 compliant with all aspects as a sterile and non-sterile 503A compounding pharmacy.