Newspaper Columns, Pharmacy Q&A
455 Articles on 16 Pages:
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May 14, 2008: Can Water Pills Raise Blood Sugar Levels?
Q. I am 43 years old and have had high blood pressure for 15 years. I have taken atenolol to control it until recently, when my doctor changed me to a water pill, hydrochlorothiazide. I had a fasting blood sugar...
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May 12, 2008: Dermatologist Disputes Acne Remedy
Q. As a dermatologist, I am dismayed by your article suggesting that milk of magnesia could treat cystic nodular acne. This is not a recommended treatment, and the false belief that it might be helpful could cause great harm by...
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May 9, 2008: Stick With Vytorin And Zetia, Or Switch?
Q. I am alarmed by recent reports that Vytorin and Zetia are associated with plaque build-up in the carotid artery. My doctor tells me that until more is known, I should continue taking the prescribed medicine. Do you agree? Is...
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May 7, 2008: Long-Term Laxative Addiction
Q. No one knows I have this problem. I have been using the laxative bisacodyl every day for twenty years and have steadily increased the dosage. I've stopped taking it for a few days at a time. Not surprisingly, nothing...
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May 5, 2008: Man Seeks Cause For Big Breasts
Q. My wife thinks I have gynecomastia. I may; I do have man boobs, but it could be from being overweight. If I do have gynecomastia, I guess it could be from some of the medications I take and/or the...
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May 2, 2008: Antihistamine for Sleep
Q. I have a history of sleeping problems. I just started taking half an acetaminophen PM tablet (1/4 the adult dose) just before bed. This allows me to sleep through the night. Is this safe?A. If pain is not an...
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April 30, 2008: Is Bio-Identical HRT Better?
Q. I take hormone replacement in the form of bio-identical hormones from a compounding pharmacy. The prescription is a triple-estrogen compound with progesterone. The compounding pharmacist stated that because all three forms of estrogen are used, the risk that accompanies...
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April 28, 2008: Genital Herpes Prompts Thoughts of Suicide
Q. I desperately need your help. I was diagnosed with genital herpes three years ago, and this diagnosis has left me full of emotions. I am crying as I write this letter.For fear of scorn and rejection, I cannot disclose...
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April 25, 2008: Will Aspergum Work for Heart Attack?
Q. Is chewing Aspergum as effective as chewing an aspirin if you think you are having a heart attack?A. Physicians frequently advise patients who think they may be having a heart attack to dial 911 and chew a baby aspirin...
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April 23, 2008: Multiple Medications May Put Mother at Risk
Q. My 81-yr-old Mom is currently prescribed allopurinol to prevent gout, enalapril and labetalol for high blood pressure, metformin for diabetes, Plavix to thin her blood, Zocor to control cholesterol plus extra Magnesium and potassium (Klor-Con).She exhibits confusion, symptoms of...
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April 21, 2008: Man Can't Match Woman's Sex Drive
Q. I have a much higher sex drive than my partner. He is in his late 30s, while I am in my mid 20s. I would prefer to have sex every couple of days while he is fine with having...
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April 18, 2008: Breathing Problem May Be Linked to Pain Medicine
Q. I have back problems and have been taking Vicodin daily for pain. The last six months, my breathing has been terrible. I’d have to stop and catch my breath with any little thing.I’ve been off Vicodin for a week...
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April 16, 2008: Cough Is Reaction to Blood Pressure Medicine
Q. I developed a dry cough soon after my doctor diagnosed me with hypertension and put me on Altace. I would cough and cough until I would gag and throw up at work into my trashcan because the coughing would...
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April 14, 2008: Milk of Magnesia as Home Remedy for Acne
Q. Have you heard of using milk of magnesia on severe acne? My son has cystic nodular acne. He is 16 and has been under a dermatologist’s care for many years.We have spent thousands to no avail. He has recently...
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April 13, 2008: Doing Away With Gluten
Q. I was diagnosed with celiac disease and advised to avoid gluten from wheat, rye and barley. Avoiding gluten in my diet has made a huge difference for me. Are there any resources to help me avoid gluten in pills?...
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April 13, 2008: How Hazardous Are Plastic Containers?
Q. I have heard that an ingredient in plastic called bisphenol A can get into foods and beverages from containers. I was so impressed with the evidence of harm that I thought I would see what food I could buy...
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April 11, 2008: Are Oral Decongestants Addictive?
Q. I have read that using decongestant nasal sprays can be addictive. What are your views on using oral OTC cold remedies for more than seven days? Will these cause any symptoms when I stop? A. There is considerable controversy...
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April 9, 2008: Getting The Right Dose Of Vitamin D
Q. As a physician, I have been testing my patients for 25-hydroxy-vitamin D for several months. Many are deficient and some have symptoms of pain and muscle weakness. I advise patients to take one or two vitamin D supplements of...
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April 4, 2008: Drugs May Cause Thirst
Q. I have taken both lithium and Wellbutrin for 15 years to control bipolar disease. Recently I have become very thirsty. It is most noticeable when I'm speaking to large groups. (This is part of my job that hasn't changed...
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April 2, 2008: Disappointed with Generic Sleeping Pill
Q. I have suffered with insomnia for years. My doctor prescribed Ambien, which gives me eight hours of restful sleep. Then the pharmacist switched me to generic zolpidem for under $15. He said it was identical to Ambien.It wasn’t! I...
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March 31, 2008: Flatulence Is Making Life Miserable
Q. I need your help to solve a horrible problem I have developed since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes several months ago. My doctor prescribed medicine to help control my blood sugar. I’ve been watching my diet and have...
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March 30, 2008: How Much Magnesium Is Enough?
Q. I have read that magnesium is an important supplement but I have no idea how much to take. Can one overdose on this element? Is it really as important as calcium?A. Magnesium is crucial for heart and bone health...
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March 28, 2008: Aspirin May Trigger Bleeding
Q. About a month ago my son-in-law started taking one regular Bayer aspirin each morning and one Bayer PM before going to sleep. Two weeks into this regimen he started bleeding from the mouth while he was sleeping. He stopped...
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March 26, 2008: Moisturizer Soothes Skin Irritation
Q. I have had eczema ever since I was a child. I have used many steroid creams over the years, and while they help alleviate it a bit, in bad bouts those creams were not very soothing and just kept...
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March 25, 2008: Avoid Sticker Shock on Prescription Drugs
Q. I rarely take medicine, but this winter I have had sinusitis and a nasty cough that required several medications. My enlarged prostate gets me up to go to the bathroom a few times a night and I have trouble...
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March 23, 2008: Does Tamiflu Protect Against Transmission?
Q. Is it safe to sleep in the same room/bed when your spouse has the flu if he is being treated with Tamiflu? A. Tamiflu is an effective antiviral medication. It can shorten the duration of an influenza attack if...
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March 21, 2008: Can Slim-Fast Interfere With Levothyroxine?
Q. My mom drinks Slim-Fast and takes levothyroxine for a thyroid condition. She wants to know if it is okay to take them both at once. A. We suggest she take the levothyroxine at least half an hour, or better...
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March 19, 2008: NSAIDs Can Cause Kidney Damage
Q. I read in your column that naproxen can cause kidney damage. I want to reinforce that warning. I lost my kidneys as a result of taking prescription strength naproxen in 1995. I took this anti-inflammatory drug off and on...
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March 17, 2008: Don't Use Stun Gun To Restart Heart
Q. Electric shock is used to start hearts that have stopped beating. In a pinch would it be possible to start a heart using a stun gun? A. Doctors use defibrillators to shock a heart out of a life-threatening rhythm....
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March 14, 2008: Sorting Out Complicated Coumadin Interactions
Q. I have atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm for which I take Tambocor (a heart rhythm drug) and warfarin (a blood thinner). I also have arthritis. I was taking Tylenol for it, but my lab tests went haywire. I...
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