The People's Pharmacy

Q: My cholesterol has always been around 200, but I have a bad family history and a past angioplasty. My doctor has prescribed various statin drugs, most recently Crestor. I started on a Friday, and on Sunday I woke with what has been diagnosed as transient global amnesia. I played golf that morning and played well, but I kept asking the same questions over and over. My wife and my golfing partners took me to the hospital after nine holes.

This began at 7 a.m., and I did not regain any short-term memory until 3 p.m. By 5 p.m., I was back to normal. Could Crestor cause this?

A: We can't say whether Crestor caused your transient global amnesia (TGA), but others have reported memory problems and TGA while taking statin cholesterol-lowering medicines. TGA is not a common side effect, but it is distressing. You and your doctor may need to find something other than a statin.

Q: When you write about the high cost of medicines, tell people to shop around, because prices vary. When my mother's medicines became cost-prohibitive, we contacted the drug companies. They have programs to assist people with very low incomes.

A: It makes sense to compare prices from several pharmacies, both local and mail-order. People with low incomes should certainly check the pharmaceutical companies' assistance programs. They require some paperwork but can save a lot of money. To find out more, go to the Web site www.helpingpatients.org.

Q: My doctor prescribed Ultracet for minor pain. My druggist assures me it has no narcotics, mainly Tylenol. Half a tablet eased my pain for 12 hours. Are there similar over-the-counter drugs (besides Tylenol)?

A: Ultracet contains acetaminophen (the ingredient in Tylenol) and tramadol (the ingredient in Ultram). There is no OTC equivalent for tramadol.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them c/o 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