GRAEDONS | People's Pharmacy Craving mint sweets could be a sign of mineral deficiencies

Q. In the past four years I have had two children. During both pregnancies I craved mint sweets (Humbugs or Evertons). I could not get enough of them, and in the final months, more or less, ate nothing else, as I couldn't face anything but the mints. My second son is now 8 months old. I am NOT pregnant again, but my mint cravings are back with a vengeance.
Within a couple of weeks after giving birth both times, the thought of eating mints made me want to vomit. Why do I crave mint, pregnant or not? I have never had any other cravings.
A. Although Humbugs and Evertons are not household names in the United States, they are popular mint candies in Great Britain. We urge you to see your physician to have your iron and zinc levels tested. Deficiencies in these nutrients might trigger urges to eat nonfood substances like ice chips, laundry starch or clay.
Even though mints are food, your unusual craving might signal that you are lacking one of these minerals. Correcting the deficiency might vanquish the craving.
Q. My husband has been taking Prilosec OTC for heartburn. Lately he has not been able to find it on the shelves. The last pharmacy he went to told him that it's so popular that you now need a prescription for it. Huh? Why would you need a prescription for an over-the-counter drug?
A. Prilosec was once the most successful prescription heartburn medicine in the world. When the drug lost patent protection, it became available over the counter.
We checked with Procter & amp; Gamble, and the manufacturer told us that demand has outpaced expectations. This explains why Prilosec OTC has been hard to find. The company anticipates adequate supplies by January.
If your husband can't wait that long, he probably could get this acid suppressant by prescription. It is sold by the brand name Prilosec or the generic omeprazole.
Q. I read with interest a question from a man experiencing delayed ejaculation while taking Effexor. I am a 60-year-old male being treated for depression, and I had similar problems with Zoloft.
When my doctor switched me to Wellbutrin (bupropion), my problems with erectile dysfunction and ejaculation ceased. Wellbutrin works differently from anti-depressants such as Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft. In fact, it can have a libido-enhancing effect, though curiously enough, it is not marketed for that.
If your reader talks to his doctor about Wellbutrin, he should be a lot happier (and so should his wife).
A. Many medications (including certain anti-depressants, blood pressure pills and cholesterol drugs) can diminish sex drive, cause erectile dysfunction or interfere with orgasm. Wellbutrin does not seem to cause sexual problems for most people and might even improve desire. This drug is not for everyone, though, because of side effects such as tremor, headache and insomnia.
For readers who would like to know more about such issues and how to solve them, we offer our Guides to Sexuality. Anyone who would like copies, please send $4 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. YPZ-962, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
Q. Schools use liquid soap to kill germs. Do these antibacterial soaps kill cold viruses?
A. No. But washing thoroughly with soap and water can rinse off viruses and reduce the likelihood of catching colds.
XIn their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 888 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10019, or e-mail them at pharmacy@mindspring.com or via their Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.org.
& copy; 2004 King Features Syndicate Inc.