People's Pharmacy

For more up-to-date information on drugs, herbs and home remedies visit The People's Pharmacy Home Site at peoplespharmacy.us

New Drug Warnings Require Vigilance

Posting Date: 10/04/2004

Most physicians know that drugs for erectile dysfunction like Cialis, Levitra and Viagra don?t mix well with heart medicine like nitroglycerin. They may not be aware that alpha-blocker drugs, prescribed for high blood pressure or enlarged prostate, can also pose problems. Such medications [Cardura (doxazosin), Hytrin (terazosin) or Minipress (prazosin)] may cause blood pressure to go too low if taken with a medication for erectile dysfunction like Cialis or Levitra.

How do doctors learn about newly discovered complications? There is no organized system to keep physicians up to speed. If the problem is serious enough, the FDA may require a drug company to send out a ?Dear Doctor? letter with details about the problem.

But past experience with the allergy pill Seldane and the heartburn medicine Propulsid suggests that such letters are easily overlooked. These products had to be removed from the market because repeated warnings about drug interactions did not change prescribing behavior.

When busy doctors have too little time to check on new side effects or interactions, patients need to be extra vigilant. Families should enlist the pharmacist to help them stay abreast of any new developments involving their medicines.

* * *

Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. 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.

2004 King Features Syndicate, Inc.