MICROLAB products

NEWS: Supplements, Prescriptions Can Be Risky Mix. You may be undermining your resolution to get healthy by combining health supplements with prescribed medication. More than half of American adults say they use herbal and dietary supplements. Most do not tell their doctors, which is dangerous. “They can interact with drugs that people are taking to cause problems,” said Dr. Rob Saper, a specialist in integrative medicine with the Boston Medical Center. The drug Warfarin, also called Coumedin, is used to prevent blood clots. One study found many taking the drug were also taking supplements like Glucosamine and fish oil, and unaware of the risks. “Certain supplements may interact with the Coumedin so that blood levels can either go excessively high or go lower,” said Dr. Saper. That gives those people a higher risk of stroke and bleeding. Other supplements carry other risks. “St. Johns Wart has been found to decrease levels of oral contraceptives, chemotherapy agents, and also medications used to treat HIV/AIDS,” said Dr. Saper. Doctors are just starting to discover the risks. The best way to protect yourself is full disclosure.

NEWS: Walmart and Target $9 generic prescription drugs Levitra, Fosamax, Sprintec, Tamoxifen, Clomid. You may know about Walmart and Target pharmacies' $4 (30-day) and $10 (three-month) generic prescription drugs. Both stores carry $9/$24 Levitra, ReliOn Ventolin, Fosamax, Clomid, Proscar, Tamoxifen, Sprintec and other generic drugs. The $4 for 30-day, $10 three-month and the $9/$24 prescription lists are regularly updated to include new medications as they are approved also. Walmart, Kroger and Target sell many of the same $4/$10 generic prescription drugs, but they are grouped differently on each list. For example, Walmart lists prescriptions like Fluoxetine (generic equivalent of Prozac) under ""Mental Health,"" while Target lists Fluoxetine under ""Antidepressant."" Kroger lists $4 prescription drugs alphabetically while Target and Walmart have alphabetical and By condition lists. Walmart and Target have added a $9 30-day and $24 for three month prescription drug category. Drugs in this category include Finasteride (Proscar), Alendronate (Fosamax), Clomiphene (Clomid), Sprintec birth control (Norgesimate, Estradiol), Tri-Sprintec and Tamoxifen (Novladex) 10mg and 20mg varieties. Both Walmart and Target sell Wellbutrin and Zyban smoking cessation generic equivalent Bupropion 150 MG SR for $9 (17 count). In the Men's Health category, Walmart and Target sell Levitra (used to treat Erectile Dysfuction) for $9 per tablet. The best price online for Levitra is $67.50 for four tablets. Adults and parents of children with asthma will be glad to hear generic equivalent Albuterol, ReliOn/ Ventolin HFA Inhalers 8g/ 60 puff size, are now available for $9. Explore each store's list of over 300 prescriptions. Kroger, Target and Walmart all sell $4/$10 generic prescription drugs from many health categories: allergy, antidepressants, anti-anxiety, antipsychotic, antibiotics, antacids, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, arthritis, cardiac/hypertension, cancer/oncology, cholesterol, diabetes, eye and ear preparations, hormones, incontinence, muscle relaxers, Parkinson's, prostate, seizures/epilepsy, steroids, gastro-intestinal/stomach, thyroid, tuberculosis, Vitamins (including prenatal) and Women's Health issues.