PITTSBURGH -- Joe Bettinger is a compound pharmacist and owns Hieber’s Pharmacy in Oakland.

In addition to all the things a regular pharmacist does, Bettinger can actually mix and make special combinations of medications.

If a child won’t take a pill or liquid, he can flavor it or make it into a cream and it can be rubbed on the child.

Bettinger believes trans dermal creams are helpful for kids and adults.

He said if a person has arthritis joint pain, but medications like Motrin upset the stomach, Bettinger can take that medicine and turn it into a cream which can be rubbed directly on the joint to relieve the pain.

Pain killers and muscle relaxants often can make a person drowsy.

Bettinger said the muscle relaxant Flexeril is a good medication, but it can make a person drowsy. He has a solution for that, “I can put Flexeril in a cream you can rub it on your neck and go back to work.”

For more information on Hieber’s Pharmacy go to Hieber's Pharmacy or call 412-681-6400.