WebMD Ask the Pharmacist

Succeeding in New Year's Resolutions: Ask the Pharmacist

Pharmacist Maria Marzella Sulli, PharmD, answers questions about succeeding in New Year's resolutions.

Question:

I've read that it is unsafe for a woman to take Celexa while she is pregnant. Is it also unsafe for a man to take Celexa while he and his partner are trying to conceive?

Answer:

No. It is safe for a man to use Celexa while trying to conceive. There is no association with any problems in doing so.

Question:

I have severe osteoporosis and was told to take over-the-counter calcium. But most are big caplets that I can't swallow. I was told I can crush them and put them in apple sauce. But I read somewhere that this is not a good idea. Will calcium caplets have the same effect if crushed up and added to food?

Answer:

Calcium supplements come in many forms. Calcium carbonate is available in chewable forms, and even liquids. I suggest you try one of those. Also, some are available as smaller tablets that are easier to swallow. You have to take 2 of them to get the full dose. But they are smaller and easier to swallow. I think these are better alternatives to crushing up a regular supplement, which would probably taste bad.
Talk to your pharmacist. He or she can help you find a supplement that best fits your needs.

Question:

Can I take Chantix if I am taking Lamictal? I am trying to quit smoking but have been unable to do it on my own.

Answer:

It would depend on why you take the Lamictal. Chantix should be avoided in patients with a history of psychiatric illness. Lamictal can be taken for certain psychiatric problems, even though it is marketed mainly as an antiseizure medication. There are no significant interactions reported between Chantix and Lamictal. But it would depend on your personal medical history.

The best thing to do would be to talk to your health care professional. There are several options available to help you quit smoking if Chantix is not best for you. So you do not need to worry. You will not have to conquer smoking cessation on your own.

Question:

I just had a baby two months ago and started exercising. I want to know what is the best multivitamin to take.

Answer:

Any multivitamin that provides 100% of the RDA of all the essential vitamins and minerals is best. There is no specific formula necessary. Ask your pharmacist to help you find one.

Question:

What is niacin and niacin flush?

Answer:

Niacin is a B vitamin and is sometimes used as a prescription medication to treat high cholesterol. It can cause flushing as a side effect, which can be bothersome to some people. If you have been prescribed niacin, there are formulations that can help prevent flushing. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Also, it is sometimes recommended that patients take an aspirin 30 minutes to an hour before taking niacin to avoid the flushing. But I'd need to know why you are taking the niacin to know if this technique is right for you.

Question:

I'm taking 10 milligrams of Prozac daily. Is there an over-the-counter diet pill that is safe to take with Prozac?

Answer:

If you are overweight, the only over-the-counter diet medication I would recommend as a pharmacist is Alli, which contains orlistat, a medication that blocks some of the fat you eat from being absorbed to help you lose weight. It is the only over-the-counter medication for weight loss that is approved by the FDA. It is safe to use it with Prozac. There are no drug interactions. Ask your pharmacist to help you find it.

Question:

I take Synthroid. Is it OK to take phentermine (generic for Adipex)? I am overweight and I don’t want to waste money if I can’t mix these two medications.

Answer:

When you have your prescriptions filled, your pharmacist should screen for any potential interactions between these 2 medications. That is why it is so important that you have all your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy. There are no significant interactions between Synthroid and phentermine, but you should only take phentermine if your doctor approves.

Question:

Are there any over-the-counter appetite suppressants that are effective and safe?

Answer:

None of the over-the-counter appetite suppressants are approved by the FDA. Therefore, we cannot determine if they are safe or effective. All of them are supplements, which means they are not regulated the same way medications are and there is no guarantee of what is actually in them.

Question:

I can't afford to purchase the medicines my doctor has prescribed. Can the makers of the medicines help me get them?

Answer:

Sometimes. You would need to contact the companies or do research on their web sites to find out if they have any patient assistance programs. You should also talk with your doctor and pharmacist to see if there are any acceptable generic substitutes that can help you save money on your prescriptions. There are many ways you can reduce your out-of-pocket costs for medications. But you need to discuss it with your health care professionals who can help you.

Question:

Are there any known or possible side effects from using a nitric oxide supplement for weight lifting?

Answer:

Nitric oxide supplements are not regulated like medications. Therefore, we have very little reliable information on them. I am not aware of any warnings. But I have no proof that they actually do anything to make them worth the money. My suggestion would be to skip them and save your money.

Question:

I’m thinking of trying the SlimQuick weight loss dietary supplement to see if it helps me lose weight a little faster. The product says it balances hormones. I’m taking microgestin fe 1/20 for birth control, and I’m a little concerned about the possible effects or interactions.

Answer:

There should not be any interactions. We do not have very reliable information on what is in SlimQuick or how safe and effective it is. As a pharmacist, I generally steer my patients clear of weight loss gimmicks.

Question:

I hear that mixing antidepressants and diet pills can cause serious side effects. Is this true?

Answer:

In some cases, yes. It would depend on which antidepressant and which diet pills you are referring to. Any diet pill that contains a stimulant can be dangerous if you are taking an antidepressant that is stimulating. The two mixed together can lead to a rapid heartbeat, mood swings, and even stroke or heart attack. Before taking any weight loss supplement, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure it is safe for you.

Question:

My husband is a diabetic and is taking diabetic medicines. He seems to be in pain all the time and more recently he seems to be very fatigued. What types of vitamins or supplements can he take that would help in these areas?

Answer:

If your husband is experiencing pain and fatigue that is new and unusual, he should be examined by his doctor to make sure everything is OK and his diabetes is being managed appropriately. A basic multivitamin is usually OK to take. But I am concerned that something else might be going on.

Also, you should make sure he is eating a healthy and well-balanced diet that contains fruits and vegetables. This is the best way to get all your vitamins and minerals.

Question:

Are diet pills bad for you? I have a hard time with weight loss. I work out every day and eat healthy, and I'm not sure what else to do.

Answer:

There are many types of diet pills, and they should only be used by someone who is overweight and under a doctor's care.

Question:

What are electronic cigarettes and are they safe (to aid in quitting?)

Answer:

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to protect your current and future health. I am not too familiar with the specific products, but I have not heard any about any serious warnings associated with them. There are many options to help someone quit smoking. Talk to your health care professional who can help you find the best one for your situation.

Question:

Is it safe to take a weight loss supplement such as SlimQuick along with Plavix, metoprolol, Cymbalta, Ativan, and Lipitor? I am perimenopausal and dealing with increasing weight gain. I also have high blood pressure and heart disease, along with depression symptoms. My doctor says all these symptoms would improve if I lose weight.

Answer:

Since SlimQuick is not regulated like medications are, we do not have very reliable information on what is in it or how safe and effective it is. As a pharmacist, I generally steer my patients clear of these weight loss gimmicks.

I would suggest you see a nutritionist and get a personal trainer. Nothing helps you lose weight better than eating less and moving more. Considering your other medical conditions, you should stay away from weight loss supplements that can cause unwanted side effects such as jitters, rapid heartbeat, and elevated blood pressure.

Question:

Can I take fish oil supplements while taking the antidepressant Parnate (MAOI)?

Answer:

Yes. There are no drug interactions between Parnate and fish oil. You should be OK. Be sure to tell your doctors and pharmacists about all the supplements you take. They need this information to take the best care of you.

Question:

I am already on Imitrex and amitriptyline for migraines and I am about to start a weight loss program that involves phentermine. Is that OK?

Answer:

Are you starting the weight loss program under the care of a physician? If you have all your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy, your pharmacist will screen for potential drug interactions and make sure that your phentermine is safe to use with Imitrex and amitriptyline.

Question:

I took Chantix for a couple of weeks and then stopped. I would like to try Chantix again. Do I have to get a new prescription or can I use my old pack from a couple of months ago?

Answer:

Call the pharmacy where you had the prescription filled or check the packaging. You should be able to find an expiration date. As long as the product is still in the date range, it should be safe to take. But you need to start at the correct dosage. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to be sure you have what you need to follow the correct regimen.

Question:

Can you take an antibiotic and a multivitamin at the same time, or do you need to space them apart?

Answer:

It depends on the antibiotic, and whether or not the multivitamin contains minerals like calcium, iron, or magnesium. Certain antibiotics, like tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones (Cipro and Levaquin), and Zithromax should be spaced apart from mineral supplements and antacids.
Call your pharmacist, who can provide you with the correct advice for the specific antibiotic and multivitamin you are asking about.

Question:

Is there a safe diet pill that works?

Answer:

The only over-the-counter, FDA-approved medication to help people lose weight is Alli, which contains orlistat. This medication helps people lose weight by blocking some of the fat they eat from being absorbed and reducing the overall calories absorbed.

Question:

What’s the difference between Lovaza and over-the-counter fish oil supplements?

Answer:

There are many differences between Lovaza and fish oil supplements. For one, Lovaza is an omega-3 fatty acid prescription medication, which means it has specific indications and is regulated by the FDA for content, safety, and purity. Fish oil supplements are not regulated by the FDA like medications are. You have to be careful when buying fish oil supplements because come in many different strengths and forms.
Always ask your pharmacist to recommend a reputable brand that is labeled correctly, and to help you figure out how many capsules you need to take in order to get the right amount of EPA and DHA to help you with heart health.

Question:

Is it safe to take Xanax and Adipex together? I am currently taking Xanax. But I am considering Adipex for weight loss.

Answer:

While there are no significant direct interactions between the 2 medications, you should know that Adipex can cause side effects similar to anxiety, like rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, and jitteriness. If you take Xanax to manage anxiety, you may have more difficulty managing your condition on Adipex. Talk to your health care professional to be sure Adipex is right for you.

Question:

I need to quit smoking 30 days prior to upcoming surgery. Could Chantix interfere with my surgery?

Answer:

There are no reasons you could not take Chantix while preparing for surgery. Talk to your health care professional to see if Chantix is the right choice to help you quit smoking. There are many options that can help. The trick is finding the one that will work for you.

Question:

What are the side effects of some medicines prescribed for smoking cessation?

Answer:

There are several types of medications prescribed to help people quit smoking. If you are concerned about side effects, you should talk to your pharmacist who can review the side effects of the medication you were specifically prescribed.

Question:

I've seen a few advertisements for supplements called Vimax and Extenze, both for penis enlargement. Both these products claim they are herbal and safe. Are these products safe?

Answer:

Since supplement products like these are not regulated by the FDA like medications, nor tested for safety or efficacy, I really do not have any information to determine if they are safe. As a pharmacist, I generally steer my patients away from supplements like these because they have no proof of safety or efficacy and are usually just a big waste of money.

Thank you for joining us for WebMD Ask the Pharmacist. Be sure to come back on Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. ET when we’ll be discussing depression, anxiety, and more. Sign up if you’d like an email reminder the day before our next premiere event.