“Dear Pharmacist,
I have always been healthy but lately, I just cannot sleep properly. The only thing I take is Evista for osteoporosis. Could there be a connection?”
–V.R., Hallandale, Florida
Answer: Yes, Evista can cause insomnia in some women. There are many other drugs that could keep people tossing all night:
Albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil)
Steroids (Prednisone)
Metoclopramide (Reglan)
Antidepressants (Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor and Celexa)
Thyroid Hormone (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid)
Sometimes just taking these medications in the morning rather than at night can make all the difference for a good night’s rest. I have an entire section in the back of my Drug Mugger’s book devoted to how to take your medications safely, which ones should be taken with food, and even what foods and herbal supplements to avoid. For example, why to avoid cheese with certain antidepressants. Why to avoid soy with certain medications.
Grapefruit interactions and chart included. This section/chapter is quite possibly one of the most valuable documents I’ve ever put together for my readers and it’s all in my book, Drug Muggers.
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
