Question: : When directions for medicine say take with food, do I take it before I eat anything, or at midmeal or following the meal?
Answer: : Unless there are instructions to the contrary (such as "take 30 minutes before eating"), a medicine to be taken with food can be taken at any point in the meal. The idea is to reduce stomach irritation and, for some drugs, improve absorption.
Question: : I am 55 and suffering with vaginal dryness that makes intercourse very painful. I rarely have any more hot flashes, just once in a while.
I have tried prescriptions and herbs with no relief. So far, bioidentical creams haven't made a noticeable difference. Do I have to live like this for the rest of my life?
Answer: : Vaginal dryness can make sexual relations difficult, but there are several approaches that might help. Your doctor could prescribe Estring, a vaginal ring that releases low-dose estrogen over a three-month period.
If you prefer to avoid estrogen, lubricants may be helpful. They range from Astroglide to Sylk. Even olive or coconut oil can ease dryness if applied daily.
Question: : Recently, I started taking resveratrol supplements because they are supposed to be good for you. Then I developed severe ankle pain and swelling, much like tendinitis. I was shocked to learn that resveratrol can cause this side effect.
I've stopped the resveratrol now, and the pain and swelling are completely gone. I wondered if you have heard of this side effect of resveratrol. My doctor wasn't aware of it.
Answer: : Resveratrol is a compound found in the skin of peanuts and pistachios, as well as raspberries and grapes. It has gotten a fair amount of attention because rodent research shows that it may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity (Pain, Nov. 30, 2008). Some researchers attribute the heart benefits of red wine to its resveratrol content (Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology online, Sept. 18, 2009).
There are anecdotal reports of tendinitis associated with resveratrol on the Web, but no studies yet in the medical literature.
In 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: PeoplesPharmacy.com.
