People's Pharmacy

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Iced Tea Soothes Singed Hand

Posting Date: 09/29/2003

One way to avoid such contamination is to seek out pharmaceutical-grade fish oil [Dr Sears Omega Rx, Omegabrite or Nordic Naturals ProOmega]. Other experts suggest that wild Alaskan salmon oil may be relatively uncontaminated.

Q. Can you tell me what foods might affect my medicine? I take hydrochlorothiazide and Plendil for blood pressure and Glucophage for diabetes.

I love licorice and it is a low-fat treat. But I have read it might affect my blood pressure. I also love fresh grapefruit and drink grapefruit juice. Are these safe with my drugs?

A. Many drugs interact badly with certain foods. Licorice can raise blood pressure. In combination with a diuretic like hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) it can deplete potassium, a potentially life-threatening complication.

Absorption of Glucophage is affected by guar gum, an additive in many low-fat foods such as salad dressings or frozen yogurt. Grapefruit is a problem with blood pressure pills like Plendil. Blood levels can rise to toxic levels. Other drugs affected include Procardia (nifedipine) and Sular (nisoldipine), as well as Lipitor, Zocor, Buspar, Cordarone and Sonata.

We are sending you our Guides to Drug, Food and Grapefruit Interactions for much more information on this crucial subject. Anyone who would like copies may send $3 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. FJ-19, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

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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).