Q: I am a 54-year-old male, and I have noticed a drop-off in sexual performance and energy. I have seen commercials for products that either boost or cause your body to produce testosterone.
What can you tell me about products that improve testosterone levels? Is there a downside?
A: We are not sure how well such products may work, but an analysis showed that many of those on the market are adulterated with undeclared erectile-dysfunction drugs like sildenafil or tadalafil (Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, Jan. 5, 2015). Anyone taking a drug like sildenafil (Viagra) would be better off knowing about it.
Your doctor could measure your testosterone and prescribe testosterone if your level is too low. We have been concerned that taking supplemental testosterone might raise the risk of cardiovascular complications such as heart attacks. A new analysis, however, does not show an increased rate of such problems among men using testosterone (Mayo Clinic Proceedings, February 2015).
Q: We read a letter from a grandmother concerned about her toddler grandson with chronic constipation. Our grandson had the same problem, but we started giving him Metamucil cookies, and he had no more trouble.
We also explained to him that his special cookies would help him poop, so he was more eager to try them. They are good plain, or we would sometimes put a little jam on them. No little kid should have pain going potty.
A: Thank you for suggesting this simple approach. Metamucil cookies contain the same psyllium seed as Metamucil powder, but they are much more enticing. The only caution is that the child must take them with adequate liquid - preferably water, but milk would work, too.
For others who have problems with constipation, we offer our Guides to Constipation and Digestive Disorders. Anyone who would like copies, please send $4 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (70 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. GG-33, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. They also can be downloaded for $2 each from our website: www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Q: I was just reading your article on anticholinergic drugs and decided to check on a drug, promethazine, that I take for motion sickness. I usually only take it when I travel on cruise ships, airplanes or bus tours, but that can be for a week or more at a time. Promethazine causes drowsiness, but I just force my way through.
I discovered that promethazine is an anticholinergic drug. One partial alternative that helps me a bit is something called a “relief band.” It emits an electronic impulse that triggers the brain to stop stomach spasms.
I’ve tried all the OTC remedies I know of, such as ginger, but they don’t work. Do you know of any other remedies for motion sickness that are not anticholinergic?
A: Anticholinergic drugs block the brain chemical acetylcholine. New research suggests that regular use of anticholinergic drugs may increase the risk of dementia (JAMA Internal Medicine online, Jan. 26, 2015).
Most motion-sickness meds, including Dramamine and Transderm Scop, have anticholinergic activity. The good news is that most people do not use such drugs for more than a few weeks a year. That should not pose a health risk.
Another option is Sea-Band, a wristband with a plastic button that presses on the acupuncture point that relieves nausea.
Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them via their website PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.”
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