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

Will Surgery Help Hip And Harm Head?

Posting Date: 11/29/2004

A. Some women get relief from menopausal hot flashes with antidepressant drugs like Prozac or Paxil. But there are also non-drug options that your wife may want to try first.

Turning the thermostat down may make her feel less ?flammable.? Many women report success with black cohosh to lessen hot flashes. Plant-based estrogens such as those from soy or rye may also be helpful. The gold standard for easing hot flashes remains estrogen, which could be used for months rather than years. Lower doses carry less risk.

We are sending you our Guide to Estrogen: Benefits, Risks & Interactions for more information on other options for hot flashes. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. W-49, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. How beneficial are patient assistance programs involving free medications?

A. The drug manufacturers offer free or low-cost prescription drugs for low-income patients. For those who qualify, they can be very helpful, saving hundreds of dollars a year. Go to www.helpingpatients.org for more information.

* * *

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).