Preventing The Spread Of Genital Herpes

Posting Date: 03/28/2005

Q. I was just prescribed lovastatin and was disappointed to learn of the ban of grapefruit or its juice while taking this medication. Why is this? Is there any other cholesterol-lowering drug that doesn?t exclude grapefruit?

A. Grapefruit can raise blood levels of lovastatin and many other medicines. This could increase the risk of side effects. Zocor and Lipitor are affected by grapefruit but Pravachol and Crestor are not.

Readers who would like to know about other drugs that are affected may request our Guides to Grapefruit Interactions and Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs. Please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. JL-97, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. Not long ago a waitress wrote to suggest Angostura Bitters for flatulence. No pharmacist I have asked has ever heard of Angostura Bitters. So, where do I find it?

A. Angostura Bitters is a bartender?s staple, used for making mixed drinks like Manhattans and Old Fashioneds. It?s in the grocery store near the soft drink aisle, next to the cocktail onions, margarita mix and Grenadine syrup.

Angostura Bitters has been around for more than 100 years and has also been used as a digestive aid. The label suggests one to four teaspoons after meals to treat flatulence. The waitress who wrote to us suggested a teaspoon in a glass of 7-Up or club soda.

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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).

2005 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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