The People's Pharmacy®

Q. I took bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to handle my horrible hot flashes. After taking it for three months, I started having pains in my breasts. A mammogram did not show any problems, but the recommendation was made that... (Read More)

When an official with the American Cancer Society suggested recently that we expect too much from some screening tests, such as those for breast or prostate cancer, he got a lot of pushback. We get more insight on the utility... (Read More)

Q. When I read your column about gin-soaked raisins, I recalled a similar remedy I used several years ago. I don't like gin, and I wouldn't buy it. But the man who told me about using gin-soaked raisins for tendinitis... (Read More)

Q. Milk of magnesia is great for blemishes. I started using it six months ago, and it really helped clear up my skin. It was better than the things my dermatologist prescribed. I got lazy and stopped using it, and... (Read More)

Q. I've read about drinking tonic water to prevent waking with leg cramps. Try coconut water instead! It is the best stuff for leg cramps. It is somewhat hard to find, but I buy Zico brand at my local Fresh... (Read More)

Q. I am an anxious person and find that I don't handle stressful situations very well. My doctor prescribed Lexapro but it made me very nauseated. I woke up in a deep sweat with my heart racing. I know there... (Read More)

Back in the dim days of black-and-white television, one over-the-counter product that was frequently advertised claimed to help "the heartbreak of psoriasis." The phrase is no longer heard in commercials, but the heartbreak is still there. For reasons that are... (Read More)

Q. The inside of my mouth became very sensitive to salt, acid and anything spicy. When my wife looked, she said it looked like thrush. I went to my dentist to have it checked out. After a visual assessment and... (Read More)

Q. My husband has high cholesterol, despite a very healthy lifestyle and weight. His doctor put him on Lipitor. After the dosage was increased, I started noticing that he wasn't as enthusiastic about our previously very active sex life. He... (Read More)

America has been waging a war on drugs of abuse for a very long time. Are we winning or losing? A "get-tough" legal policy has resulted in many drug users being locked in prison. One guest argues that this is... (Read More)

Q. I've been a victim of insomnia for the past two years. My doctor has tried me on three different drugs, separately of course. The side effects were worse than the loss of sleep. Melatonin popped into my head for... (Read More)

We've just added a new feature to PeoplesPharmacy.com which we hope will be useful to you. Each article now has a "thumbs up/thumbs down" icon beneath the title. You can use these icons to share your opinion, and help other... (Read More)

Q. When I picked up a prescription from the pharmacy, the pharmacy label had a "use before" date of 09/04/10. The manufacturer's label, under the pharmacy label, had an "expiration" date of Dec 2012. Why is this? A. It is... (Read More)

Q. What can I use to help my dog with scratching? He scratches and bites at his leg all day. He has been to the vet and has even been on prednisone and antibiotics. Is there anything else I can... (Read More)

Q. Shortly after moving to Charleston, SC, in 1988 I developed very uncomfortable itching over much of my body, including my armpits, groin and chest. A physician diagnosed it as "Charleston Crud" and recommended Zeasorb-AF, an antifungal body powder. The... (Read More)