KENILWORTH, N.J., -- Summer is fast approaching, bringing sunshine, vacation days, and trips to the beach. But the warmer weather also marks a peak in seasonal allergies and the beginning of a busy driving season. According to a recent survey, seven out of ten Americans believe they will spend some time driving this Memorial Day weekend.
This year, the makers of the non-drowsy allergy medication CLARITIN(R) are partnering with Lori Loughlin, a popular actress, mom and allergy sufferer, best known for her role as Rebecca Donaldson on the hit sitcom Full House. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of reading medicine labels, including allergy medicines, for warnings about drowsiness before they get behind the wheel.
Like many working moms, Lori spends hours each day shuttling her children to school, activities, and play-dates in the high-traffic Los Angeles area. It's especially important to Lori that she's focused behind the wheel with her most precious cargo in the back seat.
"As an allergy sufferer, I was surprised to learn that some over-the- counter medicines may cause drowsiness. In fact, the allergy medicine I used to take made me drowsy. I thought there was something wrong with me because I was so sleepy -- which was pretty dangerous considering all the driving I do with my kids," said Lori. "Then I discovered CLARITIN, which relieves my worst allergy symptoms for 24 hours without making me drowsy. When you spend as much time driving as I do, you need to be focused."
Lori is not alone -- in fact many drivers don't realize that some common over-the-counter medicines could cause drowsiness. According to a recent survey, four in 10 Americans (38%) report that there have been times when they were driving and realized that the medicine they had taken was making them drowsy.
"We're thrilled that Lori, a well-known actress and mom, recognizes the importance of reading medicine labels for warnings about drowsiness before she gets behind the wheel," said TJ Higgins, Group Vice President, Marketing, Schering-Plough Consumer Healthcare. "Lori is participating in the "Clear to Drive" campaign to help share her story with millions of Americans who might not know that their medicines may cause drowsiness."
For tips on safe driving and to learn more about treating allergies, visit www.cleartodrive.com.
SOURCE: PR Newswire, May 6, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Teen trend: Steal meds
Study says one in five teenagers abuses prescription medication
BY HALLIE WOODS
For Lupe Vasquez getting high was as easy as sneaking into her parents' medicine cabinet or asking her friends to pass the pills.
She couldn't tell you if she was taking Percocet, Vicodin or Oxycontin, but she knew popping a couple pills always gave her a good feeling.
"It makes you feel numb," said Vasquez, a 15-year-old sophomore at Poudre High School. "It would take away all the pain from things around me."
Vasquez is among a growing number of teens and young adults who participate in a phenomenon called "pharming," or using prescription drugs for recreational use.
According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, one in five teens abuses a prescription pain medication, while one in 10 reports abusing cough medicine.
Easy access
Dr. Hermann Moreno, a staff psychiatrist at Mountain Crest Mental Health Services, said that because prescription drugs are technically legal, it is much easier for teens and adults to take the pills without thinking they are doing anything wrong.
"A lot of (drug) stealing is because there is some sort of unconscious message in the family that some degree of substance abuse is OK," Moreno said. "Society in general sometimes gives that same message."
Prescription drugs are legal for those to whom they are prescribed, but it is illegal for anyone else to use those drugs, even within a family, Moreno said.
In 2006, abuse of prescription painkillers was second only to marijuana as the nation's most prevalent illegal drug problem, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Pharm parties
Even more nerve-wracking for parents, some teens talk of participating in "pharm parties" where kids mix pills together like a Chex mix and wash them down with alcohol.
"If you mix them, it gives you a better high," Vasquez said.
Kids don't know what they're taking, or how much they are taking, a dangerous, even deadly, combination.
According to a Larimer County Sheriff's Office report, a Fort Collins mother reported missing seven bottles of prescription medication after her two teenage sons threw a party when she was not home.
The mother reported missing at least 45 pills of Concerta, two bottles of Percocet and four bottles of Vicodin after her sons threw the party.
Some rehabilitation professionals said illegal use of pharmaceutical drugs is increasing because they're increasingly more available.
"People use them because they are easy to get," said Shelby Romero, a 16-year-old sophomore at Poudre High School.
Most commonly, teens are taking painkillers such as morphine, Percocet and Oxycodone, antidepressants such as Valium or Xanax, or stimulants like Ritalin.
"As parents and teachers, we need to be concerned about living in a culture that is stuck with their hand on the happy button," said Johnny Mason, a substance abuse counselor at Rocky Mountain High School.
Vasquez said she stopped using prescription drugs when her cousin, another Poudre High School student, committed suicide in May 2006, just shy of her 16th birthday.
Vasquez said her cousin was unhappy and used prescription drugs to numb her pain.
"I had been close to overdosing," she said. "It was just stupid."
Suicide can be linked to substance abuse, Moreno said.
"If a parent becomes aware that this is going on, they should seek help," he said.
SOURCE: Coloradoan, May 5, 2008
BY HALLIE WOODS
For Lupe Vasquez getting high was as easy as sneaking into her parents' medicine cabinet or asking her friends to pass the pills.
She couldn't tell you if she was taking Percocet, Vicodin or Oxycontin, but she knew popping a couple pills always gave her a good feeling.
"It makes you feel numb," said Vasquez, a 15-year-old sophomore at Poudre High School. "It would take away all the pain from things around me."
Vasquez is among a growing number of teens and young adults who participate in a phenomenon called "pharming," or using prescription drugs for recreational use.
According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, one in five teens abuses a prescription pain medication, while one in 10 reports abusing cough medicine.
Easy access
Dr. Hermann Moreno, a staff psychiatrist at Mountain Crest Mental Health Services, said that because prescription drugs are technically legal, it is much easier for teens and adults to take the pills without thinking they are doing anything wrong.
"A lot of (drug) stealing is because there is some sort of unconscious message in the family that some degree of substance abuse is OK," Moreno said. "Society in general sometimes gives that same message."
Prescription drugs are legal for those to whom they are prescribed, but it is illegal for anyone else to use those drugs, even within a family, Moreno said.
In 2006, abuse of prescription painkillers was second only to marijuana as the nation's most prevalent illegal drug problem, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Pharm parties
Even more nerve-wracking for parents, some teens talk of participating in "pharm parties" where kids mix pills together like a Chex mix and wash them down with alcohol.
"If you mix them, it gives you a better high," Vasquez said.
Kids don't know what they're taking, or how much they are taking, a dangerous, even deadly, combination.
According to a Larimer County Sheriff's Office report, a Fort Collins mother reported missing seven bottles of prescription medication after her two teenage sons threw a party when she was not home.
The mother reported missing at least 45 pills of Concerta, two bottles of Percocet and four bottles of Vicodin after her sons threw the party.
Some rehabilitation professionals said illegal use of pharmaceutical drugs is increasing because they're increasingly more available.
"People use them because they are easy to get," said Shelby Romero, a 16-year-old sophomore at Poudre High School.
Most commonly, teens are taking painkillers such as morphine, Percocet and Oxycodone, antidepressants such as Valium or Xanax, or stimulants like Ritalin.
"As parents and teachers, we need to be concerned about living in a culture that is stuck with their hand on the happy button," said Johnny Mason, a substance abuse counselor at Rocky Mountain High School.
Vasquez said she stopped using prescription drugs when her cousin, another Poudre High School student, committed suicide in May 2006, just shy of her 16th birthday.
Vasquez said her cousin was unhappy and used prescription drugs to numb her pain.
"I had been close to overdosing," she said. "It was just stupid."
Suicide can be linked to substance abuse, Moreno said.
"If a parent becomes aware that this is going on, they should seek help," he said.
SOURCE: Coloradoan, May 5, 2008
Save Big $$$ on Your Prescription Drugs
A new report finds you may be drastically overpaying for prescription drugs if you don't shop around. Consumer Reports called 163 pharmacies nationwide to compare the price of a three-month supply of various drugs and found "a wide variation in prices depending on where you shop," said Tod Marks, the magazine's senior editor.
The magazine found that prices could vary by as much as $100. For example, the anti-clotting drug Plavix varied from $382 to $541, depending on the store.
The survey also showed that where you live matters, too. The same exact medication cost $160 in Omaha, Neb., but $257 in Billings, Mont., even though it came from the same pharmacy chain.
"It depends on competition in any given area," Marks said.
Overall, Consumer Reports found Costco had the lowest costs and Rite Aid was the most expensive. Rite Aid told ABC News that it prices competitively with other chain drugstores, not warehouse stores, but that it will look at these results and consider changing prices accordingly.
How to Save on Your Prescriptions
Call around to different pharmacies to compare prices.
Choose generic alternatives over name-brand drugs.
Consider an independent pharmacy. It's not the very cheapest, but it is highly competitive.
Ask whether your pharmacy has a discount program.
If you're truly struggling financially, you may even be able to get "free" medicines from the pharmaceutical industry's patient assistance program. Contact the makers of medications you use.
SOURCE: ABC News, May 6, 2008
The magazine found that prices could vary by as much as $100. For example, the anti-clotting drug Plavix varied from $382 to $541, depending on the store.
The survey also showed that where you live matters, too. The same exact medication cost $160 in Omaha, Neb., but $257 in Billings, Mont., even though it came from the same pharmacy chain.
"It depends on competition in any given area," Marks said.
Overall, Consumer Reports found Costco had the lowest costs and Rite Aid was the most expensive. Rite Aid told ABC News that it prices competitively with other chain drugstores, not warehouse stores, but that it will look at these results and consider changing prices accordingly.
How to Save on Your Prescriptions
Call around to different pharmacies to compare prices.
Choose generic alternatives over name-brand drugs.
Consider an independent pharmacy. It's not the very cheapest, but it is highly competitive.
Ask whether your pharmacy has a discount program.
If you're truly struggling financially, you may even be able to get "free" medicines from the pharmaceutical industry's patient assistance program. Contact the makers of medications you use.
SOURCE: ABC News, May 6, 2008
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