Anticholinergics

I hope this is WRONG. This is NO joke.

"Their continued use increases risk of short-term memory loss, poor reasoning, confusion, and irreversible dementia. Many over-the-counter drugs have anticholinergic properties. Drugs with anticholinergic properties block the action of the neurotransmitter chemical, acetylcholine. Acetylcholine helps send signals to other cells affecting muscle contraction, learning, and memory. Those over 65+ already have diminishing numbers of neurons or receptors in the brain so blocking the acetylcholine adds insult to injury. Plus, medications stay in an older person’s system longer. The kidneys and liver clear drugs slower in an aging body. Drug levels in the blood remain higher for longer. The result is a build-up of anticholinergic properties blocking acetylcholine. Anticholinergics also decrease how much you sweat. It’s easy for older adults to become dehydrated and for their core body temperature to rise. They’re at risk for stroke, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, urine retention, constipation, delirium, and hallucinations."

This list is courtesy of The People's Pharmacy and were included in Dr. Shelly Gray's study at the University of Washington.

999 Cold Remedy Granular

AccuHist LA

Accuretic

Actifed

Adalat

Adapin

Advil Allergy and Congestion Relie

Advil Allergy Sinus

Advil Children's Allergy Sinus

Advil Multi-Symptom Cold & Flu

Advil PM

Alavert

Aleve PM

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Formula Effervescent Tablets

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Formula Cherry Burst Effervescent Tablets

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Formula Orange Zest Effervescent Tablets

Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Formula Sparkling Original Effervescent Tablets

Alka-Seltzer Plus Flu Formula (old formulation)

Aller-Chlor

Allergy & Congestion Relief

Allergy DN II

Allergy Relief

AlleRx DF

AlleRx Dose Pack

Allfen A

Alprazolam

Alumadrine

Amantadine

Amilon

Amitriptyline

Amrix

Ana-Kit

Anafranil

Anaspaz

Antivert

Apo-Hydro

Aprodine

Aquazide

Aquazide H

Atacand HCT

Atacand Plus

Atarax

Atrohist Pediatric

Atrohist Plus

Atropine

Atuss HD

Avalide

Baclofen

Bayer PM

Bellahist-D LA

Benadryl

Bentyl

Benztropine

Bonine

BPZide

Brisdelle

Broncopectol

Bronkotuss

CapCof

Capozide

Carbaphen 12

Carbaphen CH

Cardec DM

Carisoprodol

Ceron

Cetirizine

Chemdal HD

Cheracol Plus

Chlor-Trimeton

Chlor-Trimeton

ChlorDex GP

Chlorphen

Chlorpheniramine

Chlorpromazine

Cimetidine

Claritin

Clomipramine

Clorazepate

Clozapine

Clozaril

Co-Diovan

Co-Rasilez

Co-Renitec

CoAprovel

Codeine

Codeprex

Codeprex

Codral Cold and Flu + Cough Day and Night

Cogentin

Colchicine

Cold Multi-Symptom (Nighttime)

Coldcough PD

Coldcough Syrup

Colrex

Colrex Compound

Comhist

Compazine

Comtrex Allergy Sinus

Comtrex Cold and Flu Maximum Strength

Comtrex Cold and Flu Maximum Strength Tablet

Comtrex Maximum Strength Cold Relief

Comtrex Nighttime Flu Therapy

Comtrex Sinus and Nasal

Condrin

Congestant

Contac Severe Cold and Flu Maximum Stength

Cordron-HC

Cordron-HC NR

Coricidin D

Coricidin HBP Cold & Flu

Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold

Coricidin HBP Day & Night Multi-Symptom Cold

Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Flu

Cotabflu

Cough Formula M Multi-Symptom

Covangesic

Creomulsion Cough/Cold/Allergy

Cyclobenzaprine

Cyndal HD

Cyproheptadine

Deconamine

Deconamine SR

Deconhist LA

Dehistine

Demi-Cof

Desipramine

Detrol

Detuss

Dexchlorpheniramine

Dexodryl

Dichlotride

Dicyclomine

Digoxin

Dihistine DH

DiHydro-PE

Dimetapp Children's Multi-Symptom Cold & Flu (old formulation)

Diovan HCT

Diphenhydramine

Diphenoxylate

Ditropan

Donatussin Pediatric

Doxepin

DryMax

DryMax AF

Duadacin

Dura-Vent/A

DuraHist

Duralex

Duravent

Dutoprol

Dyazide

Dyazide

Ed A-Hist

Ed A-Hist DM

Ed-TLC

Effective Strength Cough Syrup

Efidac-24 Chlorpheniramine

Elavil

Endagen-HD

Endal CD

Esidrex

Esidrix

Excedrin PM

Extendryl DM

Fesoterodine

Fexmid

Flexeril

Fluphenazine

Furosemide

Gelpirin-CCF

Hista-Vadrin

Histacol LA

Histade CR

Histalet Forte

Hycomine Compound

Hydro-Tussin DHC

Hydrochlorot

Hydrochlorothiazide

Hydrocodone GF

Hydrocot

Hydrodiuril

HydroDIURIL

HydroSaluric

Hydroxyzine

Hyoscyamine

Hypothiazid

Hyzaar

Imipramine

Imodium

Lanoxicaps

Lanoxin

Lasix

Lemohist Plus

Levbid

Levsin

Levsinex

Lexuss 210

Lodoz

Lomotil

Loperamide

Lopressor HCT

Loratadine

Lotensin HCT

M-End DM

Maprotiline

Maxzide

Maxzide Triamterene

Meclizine

Mellaril

Microzide

Monopril HCT

Nalda-Relief Pediatric

Naldecon

Nalex-A

Nalphen

Navane

Nebilet HCT

Nebilet Plus

Neotuss D

Nifedipine

NoHist-A

Nolamine

Norel SR

Norflex

Norpramin

Nortriptyline

Notuss-AC

Novahistine

Novahistine DH

Novasus

NuLev

Nytol

Olanzapine

Oretic

Orphenadrine

Oxybutynin

Oxytrol

P Chlor GG

Pamelor

Pancof

Pancof-PD

Paroxetine

Paxil

PCM

Pediacof

Pedituss

Periactin

Perphenazine

Phenagil CH

Phenergan

Phenylhistine DH

Prinzide

Procardia

Prochlorperazine

Prolixin

Promethazine

Protriptyline

Protuss Tablet

Pseudoephedrine HCl/Triprolidine HCl

QC Cough/Cold

Quad-Tuss

Quadratuss

Qual-Tussin

Qual-Tussin Pediatric

Quartuss

Quelidrine

Ranitidine

RelCof CPM

RelCof DN PSE

RelCof PE

Respa-AR

Rhinacon A

Rhinogesic

Rhinolar

Rhinosyn-DM

Robitussin Cough & Allergy

Rolatuss

Rolatuss-SR

Rondec-DM

Ru-Tuss

Rynatuss

Rynatuss Pediatric

S-T Forte 2

Scopolamine

Silenor

Simply Sleep

Sinapils

Sinarest

Sinequan

Sinucon

Sinulin

Soma

Sominex

Stahist

Stelazine

Sudafed PE Sinus & Allergy

Surmontil

Symmetrel

SymPak

SymPak DM

SymPak II

T- Koff

Tagamet

Tanamine

Tannate-12

Tannic-12

Tannic-12 S

Tanoral

Tekturna HCT

Teldrin

Teveten Plus

Theraflu Flu & Cough

Thioridazine

Thiothixene

Thorazine

Tizanidine

Tofranil

Tolterodine

Toviaz

Transderm Scop

Tranxene

Triaminic

Triaminic Multi-Symptom Fever

Tricode AR

Tricodene Forte

Tricodene NN

Tricof

Trifluoperazine

Trilafon

Trimipramine

Triphenicol

Trital SR

Tritan

Tussi-12

Tussi-12S

Tussionex Pennkinetic

Tustan 12S

Tylenol Children’s Cold + Cough + Runny Nose

Tylenol Cold

Tylenol Cold and Flu Severe Day & Night

Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Nighttime

Tylenol PM

Unisom

Vanex Forte

Vicks 44M Pediatric

Vicks Children’s NyQuil Cold & Cough

Vicks NyQuil Cold & Flu Nighttime Relief (Alcohol Free)

Vistaril

Vivactil

Xanax

Xiral SR

XiraTuss

Z-Tuss 2

Z-Tuss AC

Zanaflex

Zantac

Zestoretic

Ziac

Zide

Zodryl DAC

Zyprexa

Zyrtec

Disney World EPCOT - "Club Cool"

Disney World EPCOT - "Club Cool"

a.k.a. The Coca Cola Place and Ice Station Cool

Cool Club as seen from Starbucks in EPCOT

I had a 2-day Disney World adventure. We have passes again so I know we'll be going frequently.

EPCOT is my daughter's favorite and everybody loves tasting interesting Coca Cola products, right? We love this place.

I hadn't been to EPCOT in 5 years and usually in between many people have told me that: "there is no such place," "am I sure," and most lately "its been replaced with Starbucks."

Guess what? It's still there. It's in the same location as it has always been; inside of EPCOT back near the World Showcase Lagoon but still n Future World on the right as you enter (on the West).





We are always so excited to get there. On this particular day, EPCOT opened at 9:00 AM BUT (and this is a big but to me) Cool Club didn't open until 10:30 AM and the World Showcase didn't open until 11:00 AM. Cool Club opened as promised but the World showcase had ropes and guards blocking past and they weren't going by a clock. They had to wait for a call on their radio. I'm not sure why the gates open hours before the Showcase opens.

So back to Club Cool

Club Cool Coca Cola International Flavors

The flavor-flaves had changed which is nice. It's been 15 years but I have been to the tasting part of the Atlanta World of Coca-Cola Museum and I know that there are dozens of flavors. This visit has:
Beverly, Fanta (Pineapple), Fanta (Melon Frosty), VegitaBeta, Bibo, Sparberry, Inca Kola and Guaraná Kuat.

On the "Flavors Around the World Fountain" the drinks are described.

Beverly – This soda from Italy is a popular non-alcoholic aperitif that is bitter flavored and is a traditional part of Italian refreshment culture.

Fanta (Pineapple) – This soda from Greece made its debut in Europe in the 1940’s and was later introduced in the 1960’s in the United States. Fanta Pineapple is  caffeine-free that features a sweet pineapple taste.

Fanta (Melon Frosty) – Fanta Melon Frosty is the number one soft drink of Thailand. This fun melon flavored beverage is beloved in Thailand’s sunny tropical climate.

VegitaBeta – Originally launched in Japan in 1992, is a non-carbonated beverage with apricot and passion fruit flavors. It is rich in beta-carotene that contributes to it unique yellowish orange color.

Bibo – This soda was originally created in 1998 and is part of a fruit flavored line of juices popular in South Africa. The brand features fun characters such as Johnny Orange, Taka Strawberry, and Palo Peach.

Sparberry – A raspberry flavored cream soda, Sparberry launched in Africa in 1955. It is exclusively available in several countries in southeast Africa.

Inca Kola – Known as “The Taste of Peru” this soda has an unusually sweet fruity flavor that many compare to the taste of liquid bubblegum. The name “Inca Cola” refers to the Quechua words for king and queen.

Guaraná Kuat – This soda is a guaraná berry flavored soft drink that was launched in Brazil in 1997. The word guaraná comes from the word guara-ná which translates to “fruit like the eyes of the people”

Because I'm so special (all my fun allergies), I woke up the next day with my lips really swollen. I took a Zyrtec, went back to sleep for two hours and woke up only looking like I had overnight Collagen Injection/Lip Augmentation (like all the stars, ha ha). The swelling did go down within the day. I took a Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) at bed time. Even the next two days, my lips still felt funny. SO I am trying to find the ingredients to these drinks. I'm sure my reaction is due to "Bibo Kiwi Mango" which I did not taste. Since I do have a pretty severe reaction to mango. But I havent had much luck online. Here's what I have found:

Drink Name	Country	Ingredients	Source
Beverly	Italy	High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Citric Acid, Salt, Sodium Benzoate, Natural and Artificial Flavors	glutenfreedairyfreewdw.com
Bibo Kiwi Mango	South Africa	Ingredients	Source
Fanta Melon Frosty	Thailand	Ingredients	Source
Fanta Pineapple	Greece	Ingredients	Source
Inca Kola	Peru	Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup and/or sucrose, citric acid, sodium benzoate, Caffeine, artificial and natural flavors, yellow #5	Looked at the back of a bottle. See below.
Kuat Guaraná	Brazil	Carbonated water, sugar, guarana seed, acidity regulators citric acid and sodium citrate, identical to natural synthetic flavoring, caramel coloring IV conservative potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.	cocacolabrasil.com.br
Sparletta	Zimbabwe	Carbonated Water, Sugar, Flavouring, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Carmoisine	bobsbiltong.co.uk
VegitaBeta	Japan	Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Concentrated Lemon Juice, Potassium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate, Artificial and Natural Flavors, Yellow 5, beta-carotene, Tocopherols	glutenfreedairyfreewdw.com

Inca Kola

Inca Kola Ingredients

(407) 824-4321

Asthma Apothecary Adventures

Xopenex® Inhaler with Spacer

My daughter and son both have asthma. In the last few years, they have had bouts with bronchitis and pneumonia treated at home and in the hospital caused by asthma triggered by environmental allergies. It has been frightening, expensive and complicated.

Luckily, my kids are both happy kids, mostly healthy. We are fortunate to be able to afford our United HealthCare self-employed insurance for $1,630.47 each month. Even with nearly $20,000.00 each year in insurance payments, the co-pay, deductibles and whatever the amount that we have to pay for the drugs is called exhausts me.

My daughter was using Albuterol as a rescue inhaler. She started having hives after each use. We used Benedryl (Diphenhydramine) to get rid of the hives. So the doctor switched her to Xopenex (Levalbuterol). Online it is described as a reverse isotope of Albuterol. Gladly, the Xopenex seems to open her airways without hives. I hate chasing one drugs side effects with another drug. i know there are times when there just isnt much of an option (like antibiotics) but as a general rule I want us to take as few drugs as possible.

I am trying to be prepared. Some of the medications are not readily available at the pharmacy. With my daughter the time from onset of symptoms to full blown pneumonia has been as little as hours so waiting a day for medication could land us back in the hopsital. The children seem to have the hardest time breathing in March (oak and pine pollen) and October (weed pollen). Today, I tried to enroll in a "Loyalty Club" to reduce our out-of-pocket cost for the medication. After much confusion it seems that the the "Club" has been discontinued. The nurse was sure that the company would not discontinue that unless there was a generic and there is not. It would have paid up to $50 towards the prescription. That would have only left another $50 for me to pay since my Insurance is paying $41. When I looked on the companies website I could only find information about the "Loyalty Club" for the inhaler Xopenex HFA which we do belong to but I could not find anything for the solutions for the nebulizer. I called the number on the card and it said that the program had been discontinued. A representative suggested that I look at http://www.internetdrugcoupons.com/ which indeed has a coupon for Xopenex HFA but none for the nebulizer solution.

Xopenex® HFA Loyalty Club Card

It reminded me of a Discount Prescription Drug Plan card that my friend Dawn got in the mail. I got that card and a few others. I am a little wary of these cards. I don't like that I cannot see who is paying for the websites, the actual printing of the cards, the television ads and the mailings. I am suspicious. My friend's recommendation and I found two additional that allow me to use them without anything from me: www.rxassist.org RxAssist Patient Assistance Program Center Discount Prescription Drug Plan; www.rxrelief.com RxRelief Pharmacy Discount Card; yourrxcard.com Your Rx Card Free Prescription Drug Card.

So next I call pharmacies to get the prices. I never get through to Walmart, it just rang and rang. Walgreens was very helpful but the lowest cost was $153 and I would have to buy a "Walgreens Card" for $20.00. Publix is the lowest price at $100 out-of-pocket.

I went to Publix armed with my cards and prescriptions of all types. The assistant told me that the Discount Prescription Drug Plan cards that I had printed out only help for generic drugs. Of course there is no generic of Xopenex.

When I got home I looked up generic Levalbuterol. It seems the initial patent expired on January 2010 but still there is no generic. The website asthma.emedtv.com/xopenex/generic-xopenex.html says "Sepracor will allow the generic companies to make a generic version of Xopenex 'early' in 2012 or 2013." That would explain why the "Club" has been discontinued. It says this information is from "settlements between Sepracor and generic manufacturers" which looks like litigation and that could explain the delay.