Diabetics need to take care with other drugs

Q: My mother has Type 2 diabetes and has had a terrible time controlling her blood sugar, even taking metformin and Actos. I suspect that the risperidone and Lipitor she takes might be making this harder.

A: Many drugs can make blood-sugar control more difficult. Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, certain beta blockers such as Coreg, the arthritis medicine Celebrex and the antipsychotics Risperdal (risperidone), Seroquel and Zyprexa can raise blood sugar. It also has been reported as a side effect of Lipitor.

Your mother needs to discuss her medications with her doctor and ask about alternatives for risperidone and Lipitor. Risperidone has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes. Anyone taking this medicine must be monitored very carefully.

Q: I suffered for many years with extremely painful mouth ulcers. I read a magazine article that mentioned a study in which patients given 1,000 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin B-12 for six months experienced a substantial decrease in breakouts or even a cure.

I have been on this regimen for six months. If I experience a sore, it lasts for one day only. People with recurrent canker sores should check with a physician, then consider 1,000 mcg of vitamin B-12.

A: The study used a sublingual (under the tongue) form of vitamin B-12. It concluded, “Vitamin B(12) treatment, which is simple, inexpensive, and low-risk, seems to be effective for patients suffering from RAS (recurrent aphthous stomatitis, or canker sores), regardless of the serum vitamin B(12) level.”

Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist, and Teresa Graedon is an expert in medical anthropology and nutrition. www peoplespharmacy.com