Readers disagree about using alcohol to suppress kids’ coughs

Q. I want to respond to your reader who wanted to know why you would disagree with using bourbon as an effective cough suppressant for children.

When I was a child, my mother would give me a tablespoon of whiskey when I had a stomachache. Today, at the age of 42, guess what I am? Yep, an alcoholic (in recovery, thank my higher power).

Was the remedy the cause of my alcoholism? I can’t help but wonder. A child should never be given alcohol. Period.

A. We’ve heard from readers on both sides of this issue. One reminisced: “My grandparents used the same cough remedy in the 1930s — bourbon, honey and freshly squeezed lemon juice. I still use it.”

Pediatricians caution parents not to use cough medicines for young children (under 6) because there is no evidence that they work. That is especially true of alcohol-containing cough medicines, homemade or over the counter.

Q. I have gotten conflicting information from my doctor, a couple of pharmacists and patient-information inserts about how to avoid interactions between statins and grapefruit:

UDon’t take the medication with grapefruit juice.

UDon’t have grapefruit products at the same time of day as a statin. It’s OK to have grapefruit products after, but not before, a statin.

UDon’t have more than 1 quart (though one said 8 oz.) of grapefruit products a day.

UDon’t have any grapefruit products at all while taking statins. This warning applies to other citrus products beside grapefruit.

I hope you can clarify this. I have been avoiding grapefruit (though not other citrus) completely, and would like to be able to eat it again if it is safe to do so.

A. Certain cholesterol-lowering drugs such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor) and simvastatin (Zocor) interact with compounds in grapefruit and its juice. These natural chemicals can slow the rate at which the drugs are processed by the body. This may result in a higher blood level of the drug and consequently a greater risk of side effects.

Only grapefruit and bitter orange (not regular oranges) contain the active compounds. The enzymes that are affected may show changed activity for more than 24 hours after a person drinks a glass of juice, so the idea that one could have grapefruit for breakfast and take a pill before bedtime is mistaken.

Some people are far more susceptible to this effect than others. We are sending you our Guides to Grapefruit Interactions and Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs for lots more information on the interaction and on statin drugs that are not affected by grapefruit.

Q. I have a lot of swelling and pain in my joints. A cousin with arthritis recommended a compounded cream called ketoprofen gel. What can you tell me about this medicine, its side effects and its interactions with other drugs?

A. Ketoprofen, like ibuprofen, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. You won’t find this on the shelf in a chain store, but some pharmacists can compound this topical treatment without a prescription. Putting the pain reliever right on the joint minimizes side effects such as stomach irritation or elevated blood pressure. Many people find it is helpful in reducing joint pain.

XIn their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.

© King Features Syndicate Inc.