Viagra Isn’t Only Option for Treating Impotence
Question: I am plagued with the problem of not being able to sustain an erection, and therefore haven’t been sexually active with my spouse for the past three years. My wife cries out for sex sometimes and I am quite embarrassed that I am unable to perform. I avoid trying to engage in sex for fear of failure.
I have been reading about Viagra but am concerned about side effects. Are there any other options?
Answer: There are many possibilities, but you will need to see a physician who can evaluate the cause of your impotence. Viagra (sildenafil) has been effective for many, but it is incompatible with a number of other drugs. Some deaths have resulted from interactions. Viagra may also be inappropriate for men with certain heart conditions.
Other treatments include alprostadil (Caverject, MUSE). This drug can produce an erection for many men, but requires either injection into the penis or insertion into the urethra.
When you visit the doctor, please remember to bring a list of all medications you are taking. This will allow him or her to assess the potential for drug interactions, and also to see if any of your current medicines might be contributing to erection problems. A sex therapist might also be helpful.
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Q: I have heard there is a breakthrough medicine for people with arthritis. Please tell me the name of this drug and when it will become available.
My knees are in bad shape because I played football when I was in high school and college. I took Advil until it gave me an ulcer. Now I get by on Tylenol but would appreciate something stronger.
A: Celebrex (celecoxib) is a new kind of prescription arthritis medicine that the Food and Drug Administration may approve any day. It probably won’t be more effective against arthritis pain than current medications, but it is less likely to irritate the stomach lining.
For those who get heartburn, upset stomach or ulcers from anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Aleve, Lodine or Relafen, this new medicine may offer an advantage.
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Q: I am lactose-intolerant and have to take calcium supplements since I don’t drink milk. I have heard that these can cause kidney stones. Someone told me I should take Tums with calcium instead of calcium carbonate. Will this make a difference?
A: An article in the Annals of Internal Medicine (April 1, 1997) showed that foods high in calcium help protect against kidney stones while calcium supplements increase the risk of stones by about 20%.
Taking your supplement with meals, however, may protect you from this problem. You can also lower your likelihood of a kidney stone by making sure your diet is rich in potassium and magnesium. Drink lots of liquids for added protection, but stay away from grapefruit juice, which boosts the danger.
The active ingredient in Tums is calcium carbonate, which is also found in many calcium supplements. We don’t think there is a difference.
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Q: I have been taking Cardizem for high blood pressure and Lopid for cholesterol. I was recently switched to Mevacor and don’t feel as good as before. Could these drugs interact?
A: Yes. Cardizem (diltiazem) boosts blood levels of Mevacor (lovastatin) considerably. Ask your doctor to read Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (October 1998).
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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Send questions to them at People’s Pharmacy, care of King Features Syndicate, 235 E. 45th St., New York, NY 10017, or e-mail them via their Web site: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com.
