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Hello,
 
I have a question re "other the counter medications" (OTC) and their
interactions with PD meds.
 
Here is the experience my husband had to prompt this question. My husband and
son went to Mexico and while there he developed a cold. He took a Alka
Seltzer PM cold medicine tablet.  After a few hours he was feeling quite
light headed and could barely stand. His son looked at the Alka Seltzer box
warnings and besides other medical conditions, it said that if you had
Parkinson's Disease you should consult your physician before taking this
product. They were in a tiny village, but he was lucky to get to a small a
hospital where they hooked him up to an IV for a couple of days as his blood
pressure was dangerously low. I can't be sure if this medication caused it
because there could have been other variables involved, (such as dehydration,
etc.) but it is very easy to suspect that it was the cause from the warning
on the box!?
 
This prompted me to conduct a survey at our local drug store, and I saw many
OTC medications, such as some cold medicines and cough syrups which also had
this message of caution for PD'ers.
 
Is it true that eldepry is an MAO type B inhibitor? Is this the cause for the
bad reaction to some OTC medicines? or is it something else, like Sinemet?
Also, I have concern regarding melatonin (KAL brand), on the bottle we have
it indicates that if you are taking an MAO inhibitor (doesn't say if it is
type A or B) that you should talk to your physician before taking it. Is it
not safe for PD'ers too?
 
I tried to get an answer from Sandoz, but they didn't have one. Any info on
this would be greatly appreciated.
 
From this experience, I suggest that everyone READ the small print on those
OTC meds!
 
Thank you.
 
Wendy
Santa Fe, NM
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(CG John 69 +9)