Evista Builds Bone Density but Also Carries Some Side Effects
Question: My doctor just prescribed Evista to protect me against osteoporosis. But I read about side effects, and the blood clots really scare me. What can you tell me about this drug?
Answer: Evista (raloxifene) can increase bone density and lower the likelihood of fractures in women past menopause. In one large study, the risk of spinal fracture was 30% to 50% lower in women taking Evista.
Side effects of Evista include hot flashes and blood clots. If you have had thrombophlebitis in the past, you should discuss the risks with your doctor. Evista is similar to estrogen in this respect.
Unlike estrogen, Evista does not promote cancer of the uterus nor of the breast. In fact, preliminary results suggest that it may protect against breast cancer to some degree.
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Q: I am 41 years old, but I am having troubles more like those of an older man. For the past four months, my sex drive has not been as strong as before. Also, I am having difficulty keeping an erection adequate for intercourse. This has been a disappointment for my wife and an embarrassment for me.
Could the medications I take be contributing to my difficulties? I take Zoloft for winter depression, lorazepam for insomnia and Tagamet HB for heartburn. Would Viagra solve my problem or interact with any of my other pills?
A: Your medicines could be contributing to your sexual problems. Zoloft, like other antidepressants such as Prozac and Paxil, may decrease desire or interfere with the ability to achieve orgasm. Both lorazepam (Ativan) and Tagamet (cimetidine) have been associated with sexual side effects. Tagamet also has the potential to interact with Viagra.
Viagra may well help with your erection difficulties, but it cannot overcome a lack of sex drive.
We suggest you see a urologist for a thorough work-up and a discussion of your medications and your treatment options.
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Q: You had a question from a woman who needed Zofran to prevent nausea from chemotherapy, but she could not afford this medicine. Her doctor should contact the manufacturer. Sometimes the companies can make drugs available for people who can’t pay.
A: Doctors can find out about such patient assistance programs on the Internet at https://www.phrma.org/patients.
Alternatives
Q: I have unexpectedly found a cure for my dandruff. I read a book that suggested using herbal tea to color hair naturally. After every shampoo, I would use sage tea as my final rinse. (The choice of herbal tea determines the hair color.)
After the first use, I realized that I did not have dandruff anymore. When I got my hair the right color, I discontinued the tea rinse, and my dandruff came back. I started using regular tea, such as Lipton, so my hair color wouldn’t change. Sure enough, the dandruff ceased. What an inexpensive and healthy way to be rid of dandruff!
A: Thank you for telling us about your discovery. We can’t imagine what there is in tea that would discourage dandruff, but it certainly sounds easy and inexpensive.
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Q: I am a desperate man. I am having a terrible time with gas and constipation.
I have tried natural laxatives, including senna and cascara sagrada, but they cause cramping, and my doctor has discouraged me from using them.
Milk of magnesia has been helpful, but it sometimes gives me diarrhea and I have to make a mad dash for the bathroom.
Someone told me you have published a recipe for a constipation remedy. Please send it to me so I can become regular.
A: We can’t promise the recipe will work for you, but one reader recently shared her experience: “I am using four tablespoons of your constipation mixture (bran, prune juice and applesauce) and am going to the bathroom easily for the first time in years. I am delighted, but there is one problem: unreal flatulence, especially before bedtime.”
The recipe is one cup unprocessed bran, one cup applesauce and three-fourths of a cup of prune juice. Start with one tablespoon daily with lots of water.
To fight flatulence, you may wish to consider fennel seed tea and ground flax seed. Activated charcoal also can be helpful.
Q: Thanks for the banana remedy for warts. My son had a small wart on his left index finger. We applied a tiny piece of banana peel just once daily before bedtime. (Seven-year-olds need to bend their fingers during the day.) I didn’t expect to see results as quickly as we did.
A: You aren’t the only one who got good results from the banana peel. According to one reader: “My insurance company paid $600 for a dermatologist to burn warts off my fingers (three treatments). Such pain!
When I heard that you could rub the inside of a banana peel on warts, I started treating my fingers. A month later my fingers are smooth and pain-free at no cost.”
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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 People’s Pharmacy, King Features Syndicate, 235 E. 45th St., New York, NY 10017, or e-mail pharmacy@mindspring.com.
