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Medicine Could Fend Off Bird Flu

Q. I’m seeking advice regarding “bird” flu. I’d like to try to take precautions now if I can. Is it too late to get Tamiflu?
What about masks? My husband would cringe if he knew I was asking this, but I wonder if it makes sense to purchase a serious mask, in case the flu does develop here in the US.
What other precautions might we take? I’m really bothered by how little our government has done regarding this flu, and I’d like to do what I can to look out for my family and friends.
A. No one knows yet whether the avian flu (H5N1) will mutate into a virus that spreads easily from one human to another. So far, the people who have gotten sick with this potentially lethal virus seem to have caught it from infected birds.
Tamiflu appears to be effective against the H5N1 flu. Some countries are stockpiling this antiviral drug against the possibility of a pandemic. The UK, for example, has enough on hand to treat 25 percent of its population. In the US, stockpiles would cover less than 1 percent.
If your physician prescribes Tamiflu, you will be able to fill the prescription. The manufacturer assures us that there are adequate supplies for the coming flu season. Whether a surgical mask or something even more sophisticated could protect you is unclear.
Q. My husband and I have been married for 15 years, but in the last six months
I have not been able to keep up with his sex drive. I am only 43, and I would like to return to my former level of interest and desire.
I keep wondering if the medicines I take are contributing to this issue. I’m on Zocor to lower my cholesterol and Prozac for my mood. Does Prozac interfere with a good sex life?
I’ve heard that testosterone can help restore libido but I am worried that regular use could cause side effects. Could I just take it on weekends?
A. A number of prescription drugs, including Zocor and Prozac, might lower libido or interfere with sex. Don’t stop taking them on your own, but ask your doctor whether an alternative might be appropriate for you. The antidepressant Wellbutrin, for example, may be less likely to interfere with sex drive than Prozac.
Testosterone may stimulate sexual desire, but regular use can deepen the voice, cause unwanted hair growth and lead to acne. Although the FDA has not approved testosterone for this purpose in women, some doctors are prescribing it.
We are sending you our Guides to Female Sexuality, Treating Sexual Dysfunction and Drugs that Affect Sexuality for more details on coping with this condition. Anyone who would like copies, please send $4 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons’ The People’s Pharmacy®, No. YPZ-962, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
Taking testosterone under the tongue can increase sexual interest several hours later. This “pulsed” therapy may reduce the risk of side effects.
Q. What can you tell me about “traveler’s amnesia?” If I take a sleeping pill to adjust to a new time zone in Europe or Asia, I swear I cannot remember portions of the trip the following day.
A. Taking some sleeping pills can occasionally lead a person to forget portions of the following day. This is called “anterograde amnesia,” and you don’t have to be on a trip to experience it.

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About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
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