Q: How come Ritalin is OK for little kids but doctors won't prescribe it for older people? I am in college and really need help staying awake to finish papers and study for exams. You would think I was a criminal the way the doctor reacted when I asked for a prescription.
A: Ritalin (methylphenidate) is frequently prescribed to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD). Although it is a stimulant, it enables hyperactive children to calm down and focus more effectively on the task at hand.
The enthusiasm with which Ritalin is prescribed for youngsters contrasts with the fear that others may abuse it. Your question highlights the inconsistencies in our drug policies. Truck drivers and college students are perceived as drug abusers if they use this prescription medicine to stay awake or concentrate.
Overuse can lead to serious side effects including insomnia, nervousness, loss of appetite, weight loss, palpitations and hallucinations. Withdrawal may result in serious depression.
Q: I am caught between two doctors who disagree about aspirin. My cardiologist says that an aspirin a day will be good for my heart and may also prevent cancer of the colon.
As a diabetic, I know I am at higher risk of heart attack. But my endocrinologist has warned me that aspirin could interact with both DiaBeta and Vasotec. Which doctor should I believe?
A: Both physicians are right. Aspirin can help prevent heart attacks and strokes. It may even ward off a number of different types of cancer.
This wonder drug is not for everyone, however. In combination with certain diabetes drugs it may affect blood sugar. There is also a study that has shown as little as a single aspirin tablet could reduce the benefits of Vasotec in treating severe heart failure.
We are sending you our Guide to Key Aspirin Information that discusses a number of dangerous drug interactions as well as the variety of recommended doses. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 with a long (No. 10) stamped, self-addressed envelope to Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. A-2, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, N.C. 27717-2027.
Ask your cardiologist to talk to your endocrinologist. They may be able to work out a lower dose of aspirin appropriate for you.
Q: I have used Colgate's Tooth Powder but I can't find it any more. I hate toothpaste with fluoride and sweeteners. Is there a recipe for making a dentifrice out of baking soda?
A: Wet your brush and dip it in a box of baking soda. If you want to get fancy, mix a pinch of salt with a tablespoon of baking soda. In case you're wondering, Colgate's Tooth Powder has been discontinued.
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Dr. Teresa Graedon is a medical anthropologist and nutrition expert.