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

B Vitamin Couteracts Cancer Danger

Posting Date: 10/31/2005

We are sending you our Guides to Blood Pressure Treatment and Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs with much more information on the medicines your Dad is taking. Anyone who would like copies, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. BL-677, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. I have suffered with sleep problems for years. Although I usually fall asleep without too much trouble I frequently wake up at 1:00 or 2:00 am and have a terrible time getting back to sleep. I hate to wake my spouse so I usually lie there trying not to toss and turn. I get up exhausted. What can I do?

A. You may wish to discuss the drug Sonata with your physician. Although this short-acting prescription sleeping pill can help people fall asleep, it is especially beneficial against early-morning wakefulness. If you have at least four hours before rising, Sonata should allow you to get additional sleep without morning grogginess.

Q. I?ve had a terrible coughing spell for weeks. The over-the-counter cough remedies my doctor suggested have not worked. Is there anything you can recommend?

A. Some people report success from rubbing Vicks VapoRub on the bottoms of their feet. (Socks keep it from soiling the sheets.)

A more standard approach is codeine-containing cough medicine (Cheracol Cough Syrup, Guiatuss AC Syrup, Romilar AC Liquid, Tussi-Organidin NR). Many states require a prescription before codeine can be dispensed.

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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.