Q. I take 81 mg enteric-coated aspirin daily to protect my heart. I put one of the tablets in a vase to keep some cut flowers fresh and noticed that in two days the coated aspirin did not dissolve. Does this indicate that the aspirin is not being absorbed into my body?
A. Enteric coatings are designed to release the ingredients of a pill into the small intestine so they are less likely to irritate the stomach. Factors that affect this process include pH and salts.
The acidity of the stomach prevents the pills from dissolving. The intestine, however, is more basic and contains salts (ions) that facilitate breakdown of the enteric coating.
Tap water in a vase could be slightly acidic and contains few ions, which is probably why the aspirin didn’t dissolve. You may wish to repeat your test by putting an aspirin in a dilute baking soda solution and adding a pinch of salt. If it still doesn’t dissolve, consult your pharmacist about another brand.
Q. My mom has had high blood pressure for years and now has been diagnosed with angina as well. Since starting her new medications she has a very slow pulse, no energy and suffers intermittent bouts of depression or blues. She used to be a high-energy, healthy and happy person. Could any of these pills be responsible: atenolol, enalapril, Norvasc, Plavix, triamterene-HCTZ and Zocor? I’d really like to see my mom return to her old self, get out of the house and back into her life again.
A. You need to have a heart-to-heart talk with your mom’s doctor. Beta blockers like atenolol (Tenormin), propranolol (Inderal) and metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) are extremely valuable for blood pressure and heart disease. Such drugs, however, can cause a slow pulse, fatigue and even depression (“beta blocker blues”). Asthma or shortness of breath is another complication in susceptible people. She must not stop such medicine on her own, but her doctor may be able to find a safer dose or an alternative drug.
We are sending you our Guides to Blood Pressure, Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs and a Drug Safety Questionnaire to prepare you for this discussion. Anyone who would like copies, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. BLQ-637, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
Your mom’s diuretic triamterene-HCTZ (Dyazide, Mazxide) preserves potassium and could interact dangerously with enalapril (Vasotec). Zocor could contribute to muscle weakness or depression.
Q. I just read your advice on using Ivy Block before exposure to prevent poison ivy. I am surprised that you are not aware of a product called Tecnu. This stuff is fantastic. I wash with it as soon as I have been exposed to poison ivy, and it removes the oil that causes the problem.
A. Ivy Block is applied at least 15 minutes before exposure to poison ivy or poison oak. The bentoquatam active ingredient forms a barrier to protect the skin from the irritating oil in poison ivy.
Tecnu can be used 2 to 8 hours after exposure to remove the oil that causes the rash. A study in the International Journal of Dermatology (July 2000) found that Tecnu offered 70 percent protection from poison ivy rash. Information is available at (800) 482-4464.
