The People’s Pharmacy

Q: I am a 54-year-old male, and I have noticed a drop-off in sexual performance and energy. I have seen commercials for products that either boost or cause your body to produce testosterone. What can you tell me about products that improve testosterone levels? Is there a downside?

A: We are not sure how well such products may work, but an analysis showed that many of those on the market are adulterated with undeclared erectile-dysfunction drugs like sildenafil or tadalafil ( Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, Jan. 5, 2015). Anyone taking a drug like sildenafil (Viagra) would be better off knowing about it.

Your doctor could measure your testosterone and prescribe testosterone if your level is too low. We have been concerned that taking supplemental testosterone might raise the risk of cardiovas- cular complications such as heart attacks. A new analysis, however, does not show an increased rate of such problems among men using testosterone (Mayo Clinic Proceedings, February 2015).

Q: We read a letter from a grandmother concerned about her toddler grandson with chronic constipation. Our grandson had the same problem, but we started giving him Metamucil cookies, and he had no more trouble.

We also explained to him that his special cookies would help him poop, so he was more eager to try them. They are good plain, or we would some- times put a little jam on them. No little kid should have pain going potty.

A: Thank you for suggesting this simple approach. Metamucil cookies contain the same psyllium seed as Metamucil powder, but they are much more enticing. The only caution is that the child must take them with adequate liquid — preferably water, but milk would work, too.