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WHOA!! Mary Anne... YOU just enlightened me, 'cause I've been taking Tagamet for the past several weeks at bedtime (for reflux) and while the painful condition is then cleared up enough for me to sleep, I DON'T sleep! Seems within a little while of going to bed, I end up wide awake! THAT explains it! Bet it's the Tagamet.... ASIDE: I just cannot express the value of this group to me (and all of us). IF we Parkies were forced to ONLY rely upon the medical profession for information, drug warnings, etc, can you IMAGINE what life'd be like for us? YECH!!! Thanks to all of you who contribute ot this group and help each other so much. Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] -------- From: Parkinson's Disease - Information Exchange Network on behalf of Zippo Bilbrok 3.0e8 Sent: Sunday, May 05, 1996 8:39 AM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: DRUG ALERT For your information: I recently had a 62 year old patient who required a drug to relieve hyperacidity. Her doctor wrote an order for Zantac. The medication that was sent from the pharmacy was Tagamet. Positive that the pharmacy had sent the wrong medication, I called and informed them that they had made a mistake and requested that they send the proper perscription. The pharmacist I spoke with told me that *the hospital administration* had decided that all drugs in this class were the same, and had mandated that the *cheapest*in the class be provided for administration, unless the doctor requested otherwise. What does this mean for PD patients, and others with neuropathology? It is known that Tagamet can causes neurological symptoms. Patients with PD *may* find that they have an increase in symptoms while on this drug. Please be aware that you have a right to insist that you receive the medication your doctor orders, instead of the medication an HMO or hospital feels will save money for their companies. Particularly in the area of drugs that relieve hyperacidity, do not accept the information that all of the drugs in this class are the same - they are not. ----- Peace and joy Mary Ann