Frequently Asked Questions
About Compounding
What is a compounding pharmacy?
A compounding pharmacy creates custom medications tailored to each patient's individual needs. Unlike a traditional pharmacy that dispenses commercially manufactured drugs, a compounding pharmacy—like Curative Medicine in Gainesville, FL—formulates medications in specific doses, delivery forms, and combinations based on your prescriber's exact order. This means your medication is made precisely for you, not the average patient.
What is compounding and how does it work at Curative Medicine?
Compounding means your medication is made just for you. Our pharmacists at Curative Medicine create each prescription in-house at our Gainesville, FL pharmacy, following your provider's exact specifications to ensure the right strength, form, and ingredients for your individual needs.
Unlike one-size-fits-all prescriptions, our compounded medications can:
- Adjust dosage strengths with precision
- Create unique medication combinations not available commercially
- Eliminate allergens, dyes, or unnecessary additives
- Convert medications into easier-to-take forms like creams, troches, suspensions, or flavored liquids
- Provide access to medications that are on backorder or no longer commercially manufactured
Our compounding pharmacists collaborate closely with healthcare providers to develop personalized medications supporting better outcomes for men's health, women's health, pediatrics, dermatology, thyroid support, wound care, hormone therapy, veterinary medicine, and more.
Why would my doctor prescribe a compounded medication?
Doctors prescribe compounded medications when a commercially available drug isn't the right fit for their patient. Common reasons include:
- The patient needs a different strength or dose than what's manufactured
- They have an allergy to a dye, preservative, or filler in a standard medication
- The medication has been discontinued or is on backorder
- The patient needs the drug in a different form, such as a topical cream instead of a pill, or a flavored liquid for a child or pet.
If your provider has recommended a compounded medication, our pharmacists in Gainesville are here to help.
Is compounding safe?
Yes. Licensed compounding pharmacies are regulated by state pharmacy boards and follow strict quality and safety standards set by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP 795, 797, and 800). Curative Medicine is a licensed compounding pharmacy in Florida, operating in full compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations. We formulate every prescription with pharmaceutical-grade ingredients and rigorous in-house quality controls.
How is Curative Medicine different from a regular pharmacy?
A regular pharmacy dispenses commercially manufactured medications in fixed doses and standard forms. What the manufacturer made is what you get. Curative Medicine is a compounding pharmacy, which means we create medications from scratch, tailored to each patient's individual needs.
Beyond compounding, we're also a wellness center, offering pharmaceutical-grade supplements, genetic testing, and gut health testing to help optimize your vitamin regimens and support your overall wellbeing. Our team collaborates with prescribers to suggest custom medication formulations for their patients, which may include hormone test reviews and personalized therapeutic recommendations. We also feature a curated shop of unique wellness products thoughtfully selected to support a healthier life. We're independent, boutique, and based in Gainesville, FL, which means when you call, you talk to a pharmacist who knows your name, not a call center.
What types of conditions or specialties does Curative Medicine compound for?
We compound medications across a wide range of specialties and health needs, including:
- Hormone therapy and BHRT (bioidentical hormone replacement therapy) for men and women
- Thyroid support
- Weight management
- Dermatology and skin care
- Pain management (topical compound creams)
- Pediatric medications in custom doses and flavors
- Wound care
- Veterinary compounding for pets and large animals.
If you have a specific need, our pharmacists are happy to discuss whether compounding is the right solution.
Hormone Therapy (BHRT/HRT)
What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses hormones that are chemically identical in structure to those naturally produced by the human body, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. At Curative Medicine, we compound BHRT preparations in customized doses and delivery forms—such as creams, capsules, and troches—based on your provider's prescription and your individual lab results.
BHRT is commonly prescribed for menopause symptoms, hormone imbalances, and men's and women's hormonal health. Our Gainesville pharmacy serves patients seeking BHRT throughout North Central Florida, including Ocala, Lake City, and surrounding areas.
Can a compounding pharmacy customize my hormone therapy?
Yes. That's exactly what compounding is designed to do. We work directly with your prescribing physician or women's health provider to formulate personalized hormone preparations—creams, capsules, troches, and more—precisely calibrated to your therapeutic needs.
Commercial hormone products come in fixed strengths and limited forms; compounding removes that limitation. If your provider has ordered a customized hormone formula, or if you're looking for a compounding pharmacy in North Central Florida that partners with your doctor on BHRT, we're here to help.
Veterinary Compounding
What types of compounded medications do you offer for pets?
Curative Medicine offers veterinary compounding for both small animals (dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, and other exotic animals) and large animals (horses, cattle, and livestock) across North Central Florida. With a prescription from your veterinarian, we can create medications that are easier to administer, the right dose for your animal's size, and formulated to match your pet's needs.
Our veterinary compound forms include:
- Transdermal PLO ear gels (ideal for cats who refuse pills)
- Flavored suspensions (chicken, tuna, beef, and more)
- Medicated treats and soft chewable formulas
- Capsules in custom dose sizes
- Tiny troches
- Rectal suppositories
- Wound powders
Your veterinarian can send the prescription directly to us (fax: 866-291-1556), or you can contact us at 352-565-1177 to discuss your pet's needs.
Do you compound medications for horses and large animals?
Yes. Large animal and equine compounding is one of our specialties. With a prescription from your veterinarian, we can compound medications for horses, cattle, and livestock in the exact dosage and form required.
We serve farms, ranches, and equestrian facilities throughout North Central Florida, including Marion County, the heart of Florida's horse country. If a medication your horse needs isn't commercially available or needs to be reformulated, contact our Gainesville pharmacy to discuss your options.
My pet refuses to take pills. Can you make the medication easier to give?
Absolutely. This is one of the most common reasons pet owners turn to compounding. We can reformulate many pet medications into flavored liquids (chicken, tuna, salmon, or beef), transdermal gels that you apply to the skin inside your cat's ear flap, or soft chewable treats that dogs actually look forward to. Whatever form works best for your animal, we can work with your veterinarian to make it happen. Ask your vet to send the prescription to Curative Medicine, and we'll take it from there.
Location, Services & Prescriptions
Where are you located?
Curative Medicine Compounding Pharmacy & Wellness Center is located at 2622 NW 43rd Street, Suite A1, Gainesville, FL 32606.
We serve patients and physicians throughout North Central Florida, including Ocala, Lake City, Starke, Branford, Trenton, Newberry, Williston, Chiefland, and the surrounding communities in Alachua, Marion, Columbia, Gilchrist, Levy, and Bradford counties. Wellness products and compounded medications can also be shipped. Contact us to ask about your options.
How can I contact you?
You can reach Curative Medicine by phone at 352-565-1177, by email at admin@curativemedicine.net, or in person at our Gainesville location at 2622 NW 43rd Street, Suite A1.
Prescribers can send prescriptions via fax to 866-291-1556 or call us directly to discuss patient needs. You can also reach us through social media messenger on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
What areas do you serve?
We are based in Gainesville, FL, and serve patients throughout North Central Florida. Our primary service area includes Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Starke, Branford, Trenton, Newberry, Williston, and Chiefland. We serve patients in Alachua, Marion, Columbia, Gilchrist, Levy, and Bradford counties. For patients outside our area, wellness products and compounded medications can also be shipped—ask our team about availability.
How long does it take to fill a compounded prescription?
Most compounded prescriptions at Curative Medicine are ready within 24 to 72 hours, depending on the complexity of the formulation. Sterile preparations may require additional time. When you or your provider sends a prescription, our team will give you an accurate turnaround timeline.
Need something urgently? Call us at (352) 565-1177 and we'll do our best to accommodate.
Can my compounded medication or wellness products be shipped to me?
Yes. Wellness products, vitamins, and supplements from our online dispensary can be shipped throughout Florida and beyond. Curative Circle members receive one free ground shipping per month. To learn more or confirm shipping options for your specific medication, call us at 352-565-1177 or email admin@curativemedicine.net.
Can my doctor send prescriptions to you electronically?
Yes. Curative Medicine accepts electronic, faxed, and called-in prescriptions from licensed prescribers. Prescribers can fax orders to 866-291-1556 or call our pharmacy directly at 352-565-1177. We're always happy to work directly with your provider's office to clarify formula details or discuss a patient's compounding needs.
Do I need a prescription?
Curative Medicine is a licensed retail compounding pharmacy, so most custom-compounded medications require a valid prescription from a licensed provider. However, we also offer a wide selection of vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter (OTC) products—available both in-store at our Gainesville pharmacy and online through our virtual wellness dispensary—with no prescription needed.
How does the medication customization process work at Curative Medicine?
Every compounded medication starts with collaboration between your provider, our pharmacists, and you. Sometimes your provider knows exactly what they want and sends the order directly to us. Other times, our pharmacists work alongside your provider to design a custom formula tailored to your specific therapy goals, a level of personalization you simply won't find at a standard pharmacy. This three-way partnership between provider, patient, and pharmacist is at the heart of what we do and why patients across North Central Florida choose Curative Medicine.
Weight Management & GLP-1 Therapies
Do you compound semaglutide or GLP-1 weight loss medications?
Please contact us directly or speak with your healthcare provider to learn about our current compounding capabilities for weight management therapies. Availability of certain compounded medications—including GLP-1 receptor agonists—is subject to ongoing FDA guidance and Florida state pharmacy regulations that can change. Our pharmacists are available to advise you and your provider on what we are currently able to prepare. Call us at 352-565-1177 or email admin@curativemedicine.net.
Curative Circle Membership
What is the Curative Circle Membership?
The Curative Circle is Curative Medicine's monthly wellness membership program, designed for patients who want ongoing support for their health at a more affordable price.
For $35/month, members receive:
- A free vitamin of the month selected by our pharmacist
- 10% off prescriptions filled at our pharmacy (up to $20 per prescription)
- 10% off all vitamins and supplements, in-store and online
- Priority prescription filling
- Free ground shipping once per month
It's our way of supporting your ongoing wellness journey. To join or learn more, call us at 352-565-1177 or ask at the pharmacy counter.
How do I cancel or pause my Curative Circle membership?
Need to pause or cancel your Curative Circle membership? Give us a call at 352-565-1177 and our team will assist you. We're also happy to discuss alternatives if your needs have changed—there's no pressure to stay.
Supplements, Vitamins & Wellness Products
Can I purchase vitamins and supplements through Curative Medicine?
Yes. We carry a curated selection of high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade vitamins, supplements, and wellness products, available both in-store at our Gainesville location and online through our virtual dispensary. Our pharmacists can also help guide you toward supplements that complement your health goals or compounded therapy plan. No prescription is required for most wellness products.
What's the difference between pharmacy-grade supplements and store-bought supplements?
Pharmacy-grade supplements—the kind we carry at Curative Medicine—are held to significantly higher quality and purity standards than most supplements sold in grocery stores or online. They undergo more rigorous third-party testing for potency, purity, and the absence of contaminants. This means what's on the label is actually what's in the bottle, at the dose listed. Our pharmacists select only brands that meet these standards, so you know exactly what you're getting.
Insurance, Payment & Pricing
Will insurance cover my compounded medications?
Curative Medicine is a self-pay pharmacy for compounded medications. However, we can provide a universal insurance claim form that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Some plans do cover compounded medications, either fully or partially. We also accept HSA and FSA cards for compounded prescriptions and eligible wellness products. If you have questions about your coverage, our staff is happy to help you understand your options.
How can I get a quote for my compounded medication?
The most accurate quote for a compounded medication comes once we receive a prescription from your provider. This ensures we have all the necessary details including strength, dosage form, and ingredients. To get a preliminary idea of pricing for a specific formulation, you're welcome to call us at 352-565-1177 or email admin@curativemedicine.net and our pharmacists will do their best to give you an estimate.
Policies
What is the Return and Refund Policy?
At Curative Medicine, we are committed to providing high quality products and a positive patient experience. Because many of our items are custom made prescriptions, our policies must comply with federal pharmacy regulations.
Prescription and compounded medications
At Curative Medicine, we are committed to providing high quality products and a positive patient experience. Because many of our items are custom made prescriptions, our policies must comply with federal pharmacy regulations.
Prescription and compounded medications: Compounded and prescription medications are made specifically for each patient and cannot be reused, returned or resold. Therefore, all prescription and compounded medication sales are final.
However, if you believe there is a pharmacy error or quality concern, please contact us within 7 days of receipt. Our team will promptly review the situation and, when appropriate, may offer a one-time remake or refund. Remakes and refunds are not guaranteed and are provided at the discretion of the pharmacist. Physical returns of prescriptions cannot be accepted.
Retail Products: Unopened, unused retail products may be returned within 30 days in their original packaging for a refund to the original payment method. Once the product is received and inspected, a refund will then be issued. Shipping costs are non-refundable, unless the return is due to our error.
Damaged or incorrect orders: If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please notify us within 72 hours with photos of the packaging and product so we can correct the issue quickly.
Contact for Returns or Concerns:
Email: admin@curativemedicine.net
Phone: 352-565-1177
How does shipping work?
We work to process and ship orders promptly. Shipping timelines are estimates and may vary due to carrier delays. Once shipped, the carrier assumes responsibility for delivery.
What is the Privacy Policy?
Privacy Policy: Curative Medicine respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and disclose information on our website and in connection with our pharmacy services.
PHI (Protected Health Information) HIPAA Compliance: If you become a patient, any medical or prescription information we collect is considered Protected Health Information (PHI) and is handled in accordance with HIPAA regulations. We will not use or share your PHI except for: treatment and pharmacy services, payment and billing, healthcare operations, when required by law.
You have the right to request copies, corrections, restrictions, and disclosures of your PHI. For questions about our HIPAA practices, you may contact us directly.
Website and Non-HIPAA Information: When you visit our website, we may collect non-medical information such as: name, email, or contact form details; website analytics (cookies, pixels, or similar tools); order and account information for retail purchases. This information is used only to provide services, improve the website, and communicate with you (such as newsletters or order updates). You may opt out of marketing emails at any time.
Third Party Services: Our website may use secure third-party platforms for payments, analytics, or email communication. These vendors only receive the information necessary to perform their services and are not permitted to use it for other purposes.
Data Security: We use safeguards to protect your information; however, no online system can guarantee 100% security. By using our website, you acknowledge this risk.
Questions about privacy: email admin@curativemedicine.net