Antibiotic can have side effect

For an abscessed tooth, I was given an antibiotic called clindamycin. Ever since I took it, I have had unremitting diarrhea. My dentist wants me to see a gastroenterologist.

Please make an appointment with a gastroenterologist immediately. Clindamycin can trigger dangerous diarrhea by allowing bad bacteria called Clostridium difficile (C. diff) to flourish. We don’t want to worry you, but this condition could be lethal if left untreated.

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You ran a letter from a fellow who was disappointed in the herbal sex pills he bought. I too am an older gentleman who has faced challenges in the virility department. I’d tried maca, horny goat weed and other herbs with few results.

Then a lady friend suggested ginkgo biloba. The difference has been significant and sustained. It is easier to get and maintain a state of readiness than it has been for years. I take one tablet after breakfast and one after dinner.

Clinical trials of ginkgo biloba for erectile difficulties have yielded inconsistent results, so we can’t promise that others will benefit as much as you have. Some research suggests this herb improves circulation, which might account for the effect you’ve noticed.

For most people, ginkgo should be fairly safe, though it can occasionally cause digestive upset, rash or headache. People taking anti-clotting drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin should probably avoid it.

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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist and Teresa Graedon is an expert in medical anthropology and nutrition. www.peoplespharmacy.com