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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Craig on December 26, 1998, at 3:42:33
I'd like to take Cold-Eeze zinc lozenges for a cold,
but I'm also taking Gabitril, Paxil and Zyprexa. Is
it OK to take this over-the-counter product or will it
interact adversely with my prescription meds?
Posted by racer on December 26, 1998, at 20:25:32
In reply to Will Cold-Eeze interact with these meds?, posted by Craig on December 26, 1998, at 3:42:33
If you can't get through to your doctor about this, call your pharmacist. He/she can look it up in seconds and relieve your mind, if not save you from a potentially serious interaction.
Remember, you pay not only for the pharmaceutical product, but also for the service. If they won't answer your questions, they're not doing their job. Good luck.
Posted by Kris on December 29, 1998, at 15:54:44
In reply to Will Cold-Eeze interact with these meds?, posted by Craig on December 26, 1998, at 3:42:33
just for the record, though I haven't asked my psychiatrist or my pharmacist about zinc lozenges interacting w/ SSRI's, I have taken them for less than I week along w/ Zoloft (250 mg), Buspar (30 mg) and trazodone (50 mg) and did not notice any change in effectiveness of the antidepressants. the zinc seemed to help with cold symptoms.
and just fyi, though my psychiatrist does not see any problem with taking over-the-counter cold meds w/ my antid's, my pharmacist is not confident that they don't interfere with the action of the latter (though the combination is not considered otherwise dangerous). he recommended nasal decongestant spray because it is not systemic, which at least allows me to breathe--these can only be used for max. 3 days.
I would be interested in hearing other strategies for sidestepping potential drug interaction problems with anti-depressants & over-the-counter remedies.
Posted by Craig on December 30, 1998, at 3:06:02
In reply to Re: Will Cold-Eeze interact with these meds?, posted by Kris on December 29, 1998, at 15:54:44
> I would be interested in hearing other strategies for sidestepping potential drug interaction problems with anti-depressants & over-the-counter remedies.Now that the cold and flu season has arrived, it would be very helpful to see a listing of common over-the-counter cold/flu products that should not be taken in conjunction with psychotropic drugs. (For example, I was told not to take decongestants.) I'm assuming the products like NyQuil are contraindicated also. I'm interested in knowing what's left for me to choose from, so if anyone could compile list of these, I would be grateful.
Posted by racer on December 30, 1998, at 17:19:06
In reply to Re: Will Cold-Eeze interact with these meds?, posted by Kris on December 29, 1998, at 15:54:44
Personally, I stick with my old standby: hot water, lemon juice, honey and a little nutmeg. When the cold is really unbearable I add about a half shot of brandy, though I think that that only relaxes me and puts me to sleep. You know, I don't feel better, but I don't mind being sick as much!
On a more rational note, I've read that the honey actually does do some good somehow, that the nutmeg helps with respiratory congestion, and I know that the hot water helps to relax and loosen my chest congestion. I think it's in the line of "Can't hurt, may help" treatments.
Posted by Toby on December 31, 1998, at 10:16:53
In reply to Re: Will Cold-Eeze interact with these meds?, posted by racer on December 30, 1998, at 17:19:06
Although no one may ever see this since it is about to be relegated to December posts, make sure not to give honey to babies with colds since salmonella lives in honey and can kill babies.
Posted by racer on December 31, 1998, at 13:33:56
In reply to Re: Will Cold-Eeze interact with these meds?, posted by Toby on December 31, 1998, at 10:16:53
Good point, and another: honey contains botulism spores that are also dangerous to infants. Never give honey to an infant or toddler for any reason whatsoever.
(Honey is harmless to normal adult immune systems, though.)
Posted by Elizabeth on January 1, 1999, at 7:36:27
In reply to Re: Will Cold-Eeze interact with these meds?, posted by Craig on December 30, 1998, at 3:06:02
>
> > I would be interested in hearing other strategies for sidestepping potential drug interaction problems with anti-depressants & over-the-counter remedies.
> Now that the cold and flu season has arrived, it would be very helpful to see a listing of common over-the-counter cold/flu products that should not be taken in conjunction with psychotropic drugs. (For example, I was told not to take decongestants.) I'm assuming the products like NyQuil are contraindicated also. I'm interested in knowing what's left for me to choose from, so if anyone could compile list of these, I would be grateful.It depends entirely on the medication. Be careful of dextromethorphan (cough suppressant) as you can get increased levels of this with some meds such as Prozac. As far as I know decongestants are only a problem with MAOIs.
I've heard good things about echinacea but have no idea why that should be safer than all the miscellaneous stuff I can't take. The zinc supplements are probably okay but I hear their efficacy is being called into question.
Posted by Molly Straight on January 9, 1999, at 23:00:26
In reply to Will Cold-Eeze interact with these meds?, posted by Craig on December 26, 1998, at 3:42:33
> I'd like to take Cold-Eeze zinc lozenges for a cold,
> but I'm also taking Gabitril, Paxil and Zyprexa. Is
> it OK to take this over-the-counter product or will it
> interact adversely with my prescription meds?
You can take them unless you can't take zinc. Actually, their efficacy is not being questioned- just in children. Apparently doesn't work same way in kids.
This is the end of the thread.
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