Valium / Diazepam News Blog

Ever since the arthritis drugs Vioxx and Bextra were taken off the market, it seems as if the Food and Drug Administration has been more cautious. Several months ago an expert panel considered whether the asthma drugs Advair, Foradil and Serevent also should be withdrawn from the market. There was concern that some people taking these medications might experience hard-to-treat asthma attacks.

Although the agency decided not to ban these drugs, safety concerns remain. That's why the FDA issued a warning recently stating that these medicines may increase the chance of severe asthma episodes that could result in death. The regulators want doctors to prescribe these drugs only if other medicines fail to control asthma symptoms.

Do not stop taking your asthma drug until you have consulted your physician, though. He or she will want to evaluate the new warning and decide whether other medications might be more appropriate.

The idea that applying vitamin E oil to scars can make them heal faster has been circulating for decades. The little research that has been done does not support this claim, though.

In one study, patients were followed carefully after skin-cancer surgery (Dermatologic Surgery, April 1999). A moisturizing ointment (Aquaphor) containing vitamin E was applied to part of the scar, while plain Aquaphor was applied to the other part. Neither patients nor physicians knew which ointment contained the vitamin E.

The scars treated with vitamin E did not heal faster. In fact, many looked worse. One-third of the patients actually developed contact dermatitis (red rash) in response to vitamin E.

Recent research (Arthritis and Rheumatism, October 2005) suggests that long-term use of some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the risk of joint deterioration. Dutch investigators studied more than 2,000 arthritis sufferers and found that those on the prescription drug diclofenac were more likely to have X-ray evidence of arthritis progression. Ibuprofen and naproxen did not appear to carry the same risk.

A recent rigorous trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health found that glucosamine was not very effective. A small subset of patients with moderate to severe knee pain did get some benefit, however.

We are sending you our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis in which we discuss NSAIDs and many other treatment options, including home remedies and herbal therapies. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. AA-2, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Bag Balm was originally developed to protect cows' udders from chapping. It contains an antiseptic in a lanolin and petroleum jelly base. While Bag Balm might help rough, dry feet, it is quite greasy and is likely to stain sheets unless you wear socks to bed.

There are several reports of liver toxicity associated with black cohosh in the medical literature. We suspect this reaction is uncommon, however. A study of 300 women in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology (May 2005) reported "no serious adverse events" with black cohosh, including liver enzymes.

Perhaps the reason castor oil works for you is that it discourages lip licking. This habit can contribute to chronic chapped lips, especially when humidity is low.

We sometimes suggest a product containing lanolin, beeswax or coconut oil to moisturize the lips and discourage licking. Some products to consider include Burt's Beeswax Lip Balm, Desert Essence Lip Rescue, Lip Trip or Un-Petroleum Lip Balm.

Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon is a medical anthropologist and nutrition expert. Write to them in care of The Herald or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com . Their newest book is "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies" (St. Martin's Press).

It's hardly any wonder your husband feels like a zombie. Combining a sedative like diazepam (Valium) with an anti-psychotic such as Zyprexa, a barbiturate found in Fiorinal and an anti-convulsant (Neurontin) could make almost anyone forgetful and spacey. Such a combination could also increase his risk of a fall.

As people age, they become more susceptible to some drug side effects. Forgetfulness and dizziness can wreck quality of life. Please ask his doctor to review your husband's medications.

We are sending you our Guide to Drugs and Older People. It lists medicines that may cause mental impairment and drugs that may be inappropriate for senior citizens, and it also includes a drug safety checklist. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. O-85, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen may interfere with the anti-clotting action of aspirin (New England Journal of Medicine, Dec. 1, 2005).

Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon is a medical anthropologist and nutrition expert. Write to them in care of The Herald or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com . Their newest book is "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies" (St. Martin's Press).

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