People's Pharmacy

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Sunscreen Allergy Makes Her Red

Posting Date: 05/13/2002

A recent study compared losartan (Cozaar) with atenolol for controlling high blood pressure in diabetics. Losartan was more effective than atenolol in preventing heart attacks and death during the four-year follow-up period. Your doctor may want to read this research in The Lancet (March 23, 2002).

We are sending you our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment, which discusses the pros and cons of many types of blood pressure medication along with non-drug approaches to getting blood pressure under control. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped, self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. B-67, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. You will need to work with your doctor to find an effective regimen for your blood pressure that does not make you suffer with side effects.

Q. I read in your column about people who can?t give up their nasal sprays. I was addicted to Afrin for years. I even had special permission to take it with me into the labor room when I gave birth.

Las year my doctor said I needed to get off Afrin and restricted me to saline spray. This didn?t help until I found 4-Way Saline Moisturizing Mist. It contains eucalyptol and menthol and is not expensive. It worked for me and I hope it helps someone else.

A. Thanks for the tip. Saline sprays can be helpful in easing this drug dependence.

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In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.org.Their newest book is The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies (St. Martin's Press).