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

Wrong Dose Of Remeron Could Be Trouble

Posting Date: 10/10/2005

We are sending you our Guide to Saving Money on Medicine with more information on accessing free drugs and finding reliable Canadian pharmacies. 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. CA-99, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. I read your article about the dangers of driving while drowsy. Why didn?t you recommend NoDoz or similar products? I find that when I start to feel drowsy behind the wheel a NoDoz makes me alert.

A. Products such as NoDoz, Caffedrine, Lucidex, Keep Alert or Vivarin contain 100 or 200 mg of caffeine. That much caffeine could be found in one to two cups of coffee.

Although caffeine is a nervous system stimulant, it won?t necessarily make people safer behind the wheel. The effects are short lasting and anyone who is overtired might still have poor judgment and delayed reaction time.

Q. I know you say to store medicines away from heat and humidity. Is it okay to store vitamins (multi, C, fish oil, and calcium) in the refrigerator?

A. Vitamins should be stored in a cool, dry place. The refrigerator is cold, but not dry. They will be fine at room temperature in a kitchen cupboard.

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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.