To make things worse, prescription drug prices are rising at an alarming rate. The advocacy organization for older Americans, AARP, recently reported that the cost of brand-name pharmaceuticals is up substantially since the new Medicare Part D drug coverage went into effect in January.

AARP reports that prices have increased by nearly 4 percent during the first quarter. That is considerably more than the inflation rate and represents the steepest increase in brand-name prescription prices in six years.

According to AARP, the popular sleeping aid Ambien jumped more than 13 percent during the first three months of 2006. Lipitor was also up significantly in that same time period. The trade organization for the pharmaceutical industry challenges AARP's numbers, but another group of consumer advocates called Families USA has reported similar increases. Buy cheap drugs online.

This is really bad news for senior citizens who hit the doughnut hole in the next several weeks. First, they will have to keep paying their insurance premiums (which can cost $15 to $40 per month, depending on the insurance plan) even though they may get no prescription drug coverage for the rest of the year. Second, they will pay full cost for all their drugs until their total annual drug bill reaches $5,100.

Some Medicare recipients with extra-high drug bills will actually emerge from the doughnut hole before the end of the year. Then they will be covered for roughly 95 percent of their drug costs. Most won't make it through, however, and will find the next several months taxing on the pocketbook. Don't spend more than you have to--order from an online phamacy.

Those who are unlikely to get through the doughnut hole may want to consider saving money by purchasing their medicines from Canada. Drugs bought outside the U.S. don't count toward the total, though, so this is not a good strategy for those who expect to spend more than $5,100 this year.

People who are not eligible for Medicare and lack drug coverage have to pay full cost. With prices skyrocketing, this represents a tremendous burden for millions of Americans. Buying drugs online is a good solution with the medicines being a fraction of the cost.

THE PEOPLE'S HERBAL PHARMACY

Q. Instead of sunscreen, I take megadoses of vitamin C, which has protected me for more than 20 years against sunburn. (Of course, I don't tan or freckle, either.) I take 3 grams of C each day, and once every year or two I might get a little pink on the most sensitive areas (tip of my nose, neck and shoulders early in the summer); otherwise, the C protects me against the radiation of the sun.

A. There is some data to suggest that vitamin C might have some modest effects against ultraviolet radiation. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (February 2005) even demonstrated that a combination of antioxidants like vitamin C and E could reduce DNA damage caused by sun exposure.

Do not assume, however, that taking oral vitamins can protect you against harm from the sun's rays. We would encourage you to stay out of the midday sun and also to use sunblockers that contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

Q. I just read that if you eat black licorice, it can cause high blood pressure. I have low blood pressure and a slow heart rate. Could I take licorice for this problem? Are there any other health concerns associated with licorice?

A. While it is true that natural black licorice (glycyrrhiza) can raise blood pressure, do not try this trick at home! Licorice can deplete the body of potassium and alter hormone levels in the body. In addition to lowering testosterone (and libido), regular licorice consumption can cause muscle cramps, headaches, fatigue and irregular heart rhythms.

Q. I read about your home remedy of white raisins soaked in gin to help arthritis pain. I tried this and found only a moderate improvement in arthritis pain. But after two weeks of treatment I noticed a marked improvement in my restless leg syndrome (RLS).

Have others reported this seeming cure? I used to experience RLS two or three times a week, but have not had a recurrence since beginning the gin/white raisin treatment.

A. You are the first to suggest that gin-soaked raisins might ease restless legs. In this condition, the sufferer often has a creepy-crawly sensation and an uncontrollable urge to move the legs every few seconds. Some people report a deep pain. Most RLS patients report that it interferes with sleep and affects their quality of life.

Prepare this recipe by putting golden raisins in a shallow container and pouring in just enough gin to cover them. Allow the gin to evaporate, and eat nine a day.

More details about the gin-drenched raisin remedy and other approaches to restless legs and arthritis can be found in our Guides to Leg Pain and Home Remedies. Anyone who would like copies, please send $4 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (63 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. RR-51, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

Q. Are you aware of any unorthodox uses of gold in treating illness or used as "home remedies"? I've heard that wearing gold can ease the discomfort of menstruating women, for example.

A. One unorthodox remedy involves rubbing a gold ring until it is warm and then applying it to a sty on the eyelid. The ancient Romans reportedly used gold salves to treat skin ulcers.

There are also Food and Drug Administration-approved uses for gold. Rheumatologists prescribe gold shots (Myochrysine) or oral gold pills (Ridaura) to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

THE PEOPLE'S PHARMACY

Q. I thought I heard something recently about infants developing eczema from having a cat in the house. Is that true? I have a new granddaughter who shares her home with a 30-pound Maine coon cat. The cat sheds like crazy. Is this a problem?

A. You heard it right, but we can't say if it will be a problem for your granddaughter. The study tracked 486 babies from birth through one year. At one year, 28 percent of the babies whose families had cats had been diagnosed with eczema, an itchy and uncomfortable rash. In comparison, 18 percent of the feline-free infants had gotten that diagnosis.

Prior research had suggested that pet ownership might help protect children against allergies. That may be true for dogs, but not for cats.

Q. You recently wrote about a pharmacist who refused to dispense the antidepressants Lexapro and Effexor with the pain reliever tramadol. You said this interaction could have led to serotonin syndrome.

I was prescribed Lexapro and tramadol together when I had postpartum depression along with severe migraines. I also took the migraine medicine Imitrex at times.

The results were devastating. For more than a year, I suffered from anxiety, convulsions in parts of my body, memory loss and confusion. At times I felt like I had a stroke because I couldn't control what my body was doing.

A dozen doctors overlooked the diagnosis of serotonin syndrome, and pharmacists dispensed the medications together without blinking. During the first nine months, I was hospitalized three times for a total of 22 nights. No one could figure out what was making me so ill.

Finally I went off the medicines, but even then it took time for all of the symptoms to go away. Thank you for warning others.

A. When SSRI-type antidepressants such as Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft are taken with migraine medicines like Imitrex, Maxalt or Zomig, there is a serious risk of serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of this condition include anxiety, agitation, uncontrollable muscle twitches or contractions, high blood pressure, confusion, convulsions, hallucinations and even coma.

SSRI drugs can trigger serotonin syndrome in combination with a number of other drugs, ranging from antibiotics like Biaxin to pain medicine like tramadol (Ultram). Ask the pharmacist to check on this possibility before taking any other drug with such an antidepressant.

Q. I've had trouble with insomnia since entering menopause a few years ago. I wake up several times during the night to go to the bathroom. While I get back to sleep sometimes, on other occasions I lie awake for hours.

I've found that Benadryl seems to help. Is there any harm in taking one tablet of Benadryl night after night for years?

A. Diphenhydramine (found in Advil PM, Benadryl, Sominex Original Formula and Tylenol PM) may lose its effectiveness if it is taken night after night. This drug might also make susceptible older people confused, forgetful or unsteady.

To order your prescription drugs from an online pharmacy click here 

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