Posted by Cam W. on March 17, 2000, at 21:28:32
In reply to lamictal and contraindications???, posted by Amanda S on March 14, 2000, at 17:58:28
Amanda - First, a question. Are you taking any other medication? I am surprized your pharmacist told you to get in touch with your doctor for a single drug. I thought he/she was the drug expert. Really, I don't think there are any 'pharmacological' contraindications of taking Lamictal with cold medicines (eg decongestants and antihistamines). Theoretically, I guess that decongestants could interfere with the mood stabilizing effects of Lamictal as the decongestants are activating and do increase heart rate. Depending on your cold symptoms, nasal sprays may be an alternative as they work locally (in the nasal passage), whereas cold medications taken orally are distributed throughout the body, thus having a greater propensity to interact with other medications (do not use nasal sprays longer than 10 days in a row to avoid a rebound congestion). The safest thing you can do is to use non-drug methods to treat your cold. Grandma was right; chicken soup (lots of non-dehydrating liquids to pee of the offending bug), rest (and sleep) and TLC (someone to tend to your needs) are the best. Steaming can also help clear nasal passages. If you don't own a steamer, go into the bathroom, turn on a hot shower (avoid getting burned) and sit on the toilet (read a book) and suck in the steam until the water goes cold or until you are clear. Another hint - do not use Vick's Vaporub (or other rubs) in a steamer as they can settle in your lungs and provide a growth medium for pneumonia. Also, if you listen closely to their advertisements, Vick's "makes you 'feel' clearer", it does not make you clearer. Although, it does smell nice and this can be a good placebo effect (an aromatherapy kinda thing). Also, Vicks on the chest really does nothing but smell nice. A longer than necessary answer from - Cam W.
poster:Cam W.
thread:26320
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000312/msgs/27402.html