Q. In less than two years on Lipitor, I went from being able to climb the ancient temples at Angkor Wat, Cambodia, to being almost unable to walk to my mailbox. I felt like I had flu all the time.... (Read More)
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Pharmacy Q&A
Q. What's a safe way to kill mosquitoes? We have a cabin on a pond and the mosquitoes are ferocious. Some always manage to sneak in and there is nothing worse than being buzzed, especially when you are trying to... (Read More)
Q. I am 61 years old and have taken estrogen for nearly five years. My doctor said that is the limit and had me stop.Do you have information on relieving hot flashes and other symptoms? I have them now in... (Read More)
Q. You had a question from a mother whose baby has diaper rash. When my oldest daughter had very bad diaper rash as an infant, my pediatrician told me to buy Crisco shortening. (It comes in a can for baking.)... (Read More)
Q. For an abscessed tooth, I was given a prescription antibiotic called clindamycin. Ever since I took it, I have had unremitting diarrhea. Now my dentist wants me to see a gastroenterologist. Is there anything else I can do before... (Read More)
Q. I have heard about a drug available from Canada (not available in US) by the name of "Pennsat" or something similar that is only available by prescription. Would you kindly send me correct spelling and information about this drug.A.... (Read More)
Q. My 17-year-old son is feeling depressed. He is sad and tired and would sleep all day long if we allowed it. The doctor prescribed Prozac, but after the second day of taking it my son said he had thoughts... (Read More)
Q. I use Travatan, similar to Lumigan, for glaucoma. My eyes have turned from brown to almost black. Blue-eyed people should be warned about this.A. A change in the color of the iris is a well-known reaction to this class... (Read More)
Q. I'm worried about my mother. She's 65 and has type 2 diabetes and mild depression.In the last few months, her behavior has changed dramatically. She is extremely lethargic and has no energy to do housework. She is sleeping a... (Read More)
Q. My daughter had so many warts on her hands that there was nothing the doctor could do. He said freezing or burning them off was out of the question. He suggested Tagamet. That sounded weird, but she tried it.... (Read More)
Q. My dermatologist prescribed both a gel and a cream for seborrheic dermatitis, but neither worked. Then I happened to clean my face with Noxzema, although I had not used it for 50 years.The seborrheic dermatitis has gone away. I... (Read More)
Q. Where can I get a complete evaluation of the medicines I am taking? There are several with similar side effects, one being nausea. The drug store doesn’t have the time.A. Many pharmacists are extremely busy these days, but talking... (Read More)
Q. Ever since I retired a few years ago, I have been suffering from low-level depression. I work hard to keep it hidden from friends and family, but it’s getting worse.There are so many things I want to do but... (Read More)
Q. I have a suggestion for the itching from chiggers. I had 38 bites and was miserable! In desperation, I tried Zostrix, figuring burning would be better than itching.This was a complete success. One application got rid of all the... (Read More)
Q. What products are available that can stop the terrible smell of gas when dietary discretion is not enough?A. Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) appears to be effective at reducing hydrogen sulfide formation (Gastroenterology, May, 1998). This is responsible for some of... (Read More)
Q. When does sunscreen expire? Should I replace my sunscreen every year?A. Some sunscreens come with expiration dates, so it would be worth checking the label. The FDA requires all sunscreens to remain stable for three years. If we assume... (Read More)
Q. I have been on atenolol for blood pressure for a little over a year. I am having problems like extremely cold feet, dizziness, fatigue and trouble breathing.My doctors say I have to take this medicine, but I am ready... (Read More)
Q. I’ve heard about becoming addicted to nasal sprays, but I wonder if one can become addicted to eye drops. I have severe dry eyes along with allergies, and I need a dose of eye drops first thing in the... (Read More)
Q. My pain clinic doctor put me on 50,000 units vitamin D twice a day. That’s 100,000 units a day, and it seems like a lot. The pharmacy called to verify the prescription. Is this dose safe?A. That is an... (Read More)
Q. My mom has been addicted to laxatives for over 30 years. Last year she had to be operated on because her anus had constricted to the point where not even a pencil would have passed. She was one step... (Read More)
Q. I once worked for a pharmaceutical company that ordered a raw ingredient, diphenhydramine, from China. I was a quality assurance inspector and had to inspect incoming material.That ingredient was trashy with what looked like a lot of floor sweepings... (Read More)
Q. I took Fosamax for osteoporosis and started waking up every night with hip and leg pain. One friend mentioned that she also developed bone pain while taking Fosamax while another complained of terrible backaches.I told my doctor and he... (Read More)
Q. I have taken simvastatin for many years and over the last year or so I have developed extreme intolerance to heat. My face gets flushed beet red, to the dismay of my companions who wonder if they should treat... (Read More)
Q. My son has suffered from horrible acne for two years, even after seeing two different dermatologists. We’ve tried everything, from prescriptions and Proactiv to laser treatments. There’s nothing left to try except Accutane, but we worry about side effects.After... (Read More)
Q. My blood pressure medicine was recently switched to Cozaar. After taking my pills this morning my mouth and tongue swelled up so I could barely talk. Could my medicine have done this?A. Cozaar (losartan) is a very effective blood... (Read More)
Q. I have been drinking a lot of cranberry juice to ward off a urinary tract infection. I have also been eating dried cranberries as a snack. Is it possible this could affect Coumadin? My blood work (INR) is now... (Read More)
Q. A few years back someone wrote to you and asked about eye drops making a family member’s eyelashes grow. I lost this article. Please tell me the name of the medicine.A. The prescription glaucoma medicine Lumigan (bimatoprost) has an... (Read More)
Q. Breast cancer runs in my family. My mother had it first and I was diagnosed six years ago. Mine was estrogen receptor positive so I avoid sources of estrogen.Last year I read that some sunscreens have estrogenic activity. Is... (Read More)
Q. Let me share my remedy for leg cramps. I find that Tums give fast relief, better than a spoonful of yellow mustard. I keep a packet at the bedside and in my purse.A. You are not the only reader... (Read More)
Q. I am convinced that hormone replacement is contributing to my hair loss along with medications for cholesterol and blood pressure. Some of my friends are also complaining that their hair is thinning. One is on Prempro, another takes natural... (Read More)
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