THE PEOPLE'S PHARMACY

Tip on a pill splitter

Q: One of your readers complained that his pill splitter did not cut
evenly. I found a great cutter from Apro. The top is magnified, and it
holds up beautifully.

A: Splitting pills can be a great way to save money. We found a
magnifying pill splitter on the Web site www.ForgettingThePill.com.
Always check with a pharmacist to make sure your tablets can be split
safely.

Semen can carry drugs

Q: Can semen transmit drugs? If my boyfriend smokes marijuana and
ejaculates inside of me, could I fail a drug test?

A: Semen can carry certain drugs. For example, a woman who is allergic
to penicillin may experience a reaction after intercourse if her
partner is taking the drug.

It's possible that some marijuana compounds could show up in your
blood and urine, but they would probably be under the cutoff limits
for a positive drug test.

Cherry juice for arthritis

Q: I was on Celebrex for arthritis but experienced side effects. A
friend recommended that I try Brownwood Acres tart cherry juice. It
took four weeks to kick in, but at the ripe old age of 79 I'm
tap-dancing again.

A: We've heard from others that tart or sour cherries or cherry juice
might ease joint pain from gout. Your testimonial is terrific, and we
suspect that others will want to try cherry juice for arthritis as
well. The brand you mention is available at www.brownwoodacres.com or
by calling 877-591-3101.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers.
Write to them c/o King Features Syndicate, 888 Seventh Ave., New York,
NY 10019, or e-mail them at pharmacy@mindspring.com or via their Web
site: www.peoplespharmacy.org