Pepin’s Pharmaceutical Prattle for 01-05-2004 Quote of the day: "I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when looked at in the right way, did not become still more complicated." Poul Anderson

Good morning! Do you have any Resolutions for the NEW YEAR? If not…why not? If you don't know where you are going then how will you ever know when you get there? This is the time of year to stop and take measure of your life. Resolutions are made after thoughtful reflection. Assessing your present position and desired future position are the first two steps. If you look at your present activities and actions you can learn your current objectives. For many that examination will yield evidence that the goal of most Americans is to watch more TV ("reality", sports, sitcoms). Writing the great American novel?…. have you written any pages or notes.? Retire at age 55?… did you save any money in 2003? Drop 30 pounds? …. what did you eat in the last 48 hours? Don't get discouraged if you don't get it perfect the first time…. keep at it. The Hazeltine foundation estimates that it takes the average smoker 6 years to stop. ( at the end of 5 years of being smoke free your chances of getting lung cancer drop to the rates of people WHO NEVER SMOKED) So if you resolve to eat no sweets in 2004 yet find a cookie lodged between your teeth within 2 hours….don't give up. Keep trying, Exercise? Joining a gym might be an interesting idea…but you have to ACTUALLY go and exercise. Why not do some little things to increase your activity like parking on the far side of the parking ramp and using the stairs instead of the elevator. These things add up as fast as those random cookies. Don't worry about blowing a RESOLUTION…..there is nothing magic about the New Year's type… just re-resolve and pick it up there. You can do it …. I know you can!

1) Start with yourself but don't forget the kiddies…
	Resolutions that kids can make…age dependent….from preschool to teens… some you could even make. …Click here for full text . PS sorry... the link was broken.... fixed now!

2) Image problems….. what could PHARMA resolve to do?
	In spite of discovering breakthrough drugs Pharma's image is lower than politicians! …Click here for full text .

3) What do you get when you cross Zyprexa with Prozac?
	Symbyax sounds a little like Kumbya. Will be use against manic depression who sufferers are said to be "Bipolar". Therefore a SYMbiotic drug used to "AXe" BIpolar disease. This should lift Lilly's spirits *the disease afflicts about 1% of the population). …Click here for full text.

4) Ephedra sales to be halted…in a little while…don't stock up!

During prohibition crates of grapes contained the warning: "Do not crush these grapes, do not allow them exposure to yeast, do not add sugar." (essentially a recipe for making wine.) FDA to halt sales of ephedra but they did not halt it immediately. …Click here for full text of story. This will eventually eliminate its use but you can expect more death in those who will take this hiatus to stock up. Expect to see more "herbal" or nutritional supplements to be taken off the market. (Remember TRYPTOPHAN anyone?) …Click here for full prescribing info.

5) It's officially an epidemic!
	Influenza had finally killed enough people in enough states to be considered an epidemic. (I'm sure you will remember you shot next year...especially if you get it this year) …Click here for full text.

6) Alzheimer's drug for Down's Syndrome?
	Study in humans may end soon. It appears that it just might help. SOMEBODY was thinking! Story was written by the mother of a Down's child. …Click here for full text.

7) It's OTC or we could DO something about it…
	Kids are taking huge doses of cough and cold preparations in order to get high. Dextromethorphan, the "DM" in Robitussin DM, is a non-narcotic but works like codeine against a cough. The kids, like adults, believe that if its OTC then it is safe….wrong…DEAD WRONG! …Click here for full text.

Have a SUPERFANTASTIC week! Steve

Disclaimer: "Pepin's Pharmaceutical Prattle" (AKA "The Prattle") is the property of PHARMWORKS, LLC and Steven M. Pepin, Pharm. D, BCPS. The opinions expressed are those of the bald-headed author. To start or stop any drug without the advice and supervision of your physician would be stupid. So don't do anything based upon what you read here without professional advice. To be added to or removed from the distribution list please e-mail your request to spepin@pharmworks.com . All insightful comments from readers are thoughtfully considered (the rest are callously discarded). Copyright 1998-2004 PHARMWORKS,LLC all rights reserved.