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

Can Pharmacists Refuse to Fill Prescriptions?

Posting Date: 05/23/2005

We are sending you our Guide to Key Aspirin Information and Alternatives for Arthritis, for more details on the benefits, risks and interactions of aspirin. Anyone who would like copies, please send $4 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. 3-A, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Neither buffered aspirin nor enteric-coated aspirin provides complete protection against digestive tract damage. An acid-suppressing drug like Prilosec OTC might help. Doctors sometimes prescribe Cytotec (misoprostol) to prevent stomach ulcers.

Q. I?ve been taking Lanoxin and verapamil for irregular heartbeats. When I renewed my prescription, the pharmacist warned me that these drugs can interact.

I spoke to my doctor about this, but he seemed put out by the question. He said the dose was too low to be a problem. Should I worry?

A. The pharmacist was right to warn you about this potentially dangerous interaction. Verapamil may gradually increase digoxin levels and lead to toxicity.

Your doctor must monitor your digoxin level carefully. He should also review this interaction so he can reevaluate if this combination is the best way to treat your arrhythmia.

* * *

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.