Caribbean looks at fresh AIDS plan Eating beforehand reduces Caribbean looks at fresh AIDS plan Eating beforehand reduces BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC The region's leaders are taking a different look at the problem of HIV/AIDS and its impact on the Caribbean, according to Barbados's junior foreign affairs minister. "Traditionally, our defini- tion of security was shaped by history and by traditional geo- political paradigms which reflected military and national security considerations," said Kerrie Symmonds, while addressing Caribbean-based United States ambassadors gathered for a two-day meeting in Barbados to discuss the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the region. "Today, however, that defi- nition has evolved to include non-traditional threats such as that posed by HIV/AIDS to the stability of our economies, our labor forces and our economies. "Indeed, this virus poses the single greatest threat to the region's security, as we seek to develop a civilization that can proudly enter the portals of the 21st century," he added. in Jamaica and production of educational materials. "UNESCO and the Japanese government will continue to support the Ministry of Education and Youth in strengthening the sector's response to HIV and AIDS under the initiative that is referred to as 'EDUCAIDS', that is, education in the fight against HIV/AIDS," Dr. Boafo said. He also said that the sup- port from UNESCO and Japan formed part of a larger interna- tional assistance framework on preventive education programs, and that Jamaica is currently one of several countries, and the only island in the Caribbean region, that is involved in the project. 0 the effect of medications financial assistance from the U.S., Minister Symmonds told the ambassadors that the reality of the situation in the Caribbean is that limited resources have been strained by the need to deal with new challenges posed by an undiscriminat- ing global environment. But responding Symmonds to the minis- ter's plea, Mary Kramer, U.S. ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, said she cannot promise additional funding at this time. Instead she's promising more effective use of available funds. "With the people who are here from Washington we can be assured that we who are working here in the region, know all of the areas that are available to us from Washington," Kramer said. 0 meal. QUESTION: I've just begun taking the antidepressant Prozac (fluoxetine). It's been about a week and a half. It doesn't seem to be helping at this point. Should I stop it? ANSWER: As a general rule, I don't think people should sud- denly stop medications. There can be negative consequences to doing so without your doc- tor's approval especially with antidepressants. For most people, Prozac may take three to four weeks to give you the full effect. Take the medicine in the morning and be aware that typical side effects include nausea, taste changes, painful urination, insomnia, agi- tation and even sexual prob- AIDS fight KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - Dr. Kwame Boafo, newly appointed director of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) office in the Caribbean, has said that the agency would sustain its HIV/AIDS initiative in Jamaica. Dr. Boafo said that the project, which primarily sought to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS through education, was primarily funded by the Japanese government, the United Nations C(!ii!lr, ii Fund (UNICEF), the World Bank, and the Global Fund. He said the initiative would be under- taken from 2006 to 2008 and would focus on areas such as, strategic planning, professional development, and the design SUZY COHEN QUESTION: My husband has a prescription that says "take on an empty stomach", but he refuses to, saying it's inconven- ient and it doesn't matter. We are arguing about this. What will happen if he doesn't follow directions? ANSWER: His medicine may not work as well. The caution "on an empty stomach" is there to alert patients that food will interfere with the amount of drug that ultimately gets into the bloodstream or possibly slow down the effectiveness. This is the case with many medications, including thyroid hormones, tetracycline, fluoro- quinolone antibiotics and some antihistamines. Say you have a serious prostate infection and you're on an antibiotic with a label warning you to "take on an empty stomach". It's 1:30 and you decide to eat lunch and take your medication with the meal. In this case, you might lose between five percent and 30 percent of the drug (maybe more if you have eaten calci- um-rich foods, which interfere with fluoroquinolone antibi- otics like Cipro and Levaquin). As a result, less medicine gets to your prostate to fight the bacteria that has invaded and, if you do this all the time, you could suffer longer and need more medicine. With some drugs e.g. osteoporosis drugs (bisphos- phonate drugs) like Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva even the tiniest amount of food gets in the way. They have to be taken with water only; you can't even nosh on a cracker. I know, it's distressing. These drugs upset the stomach and a little food would help, but again, your absorption goes down dramati- cally. Therefore, they should be taken without food. Here's a good rule of thumb for a prescription that says "take on an empty stom- ach": You can take it either one hour before or two hours after a JOlive Chung-James, M.D. Board Certified Family Physician ..children adults, gynecology c"aoanvmes.mix. weight management A Dr. Chung-James, practicing in Miami since 1983, well-known in the Caribbean community. NEW LOCATION: 9275 SW 152 Street, Suite 204. Miami, Florida 33157 (Across from Jackson South ER.) (305) 251-3975 MEE= 6300 W. Atlantic Blvd. Margate, FL 33063 S (954) 956-9500 PAUL W. MOO YOUNG, D.D.S. FAMILY DENTISTRY EMERGENCY WALK-IN SERVICE o I Cosmetic Restorative Preventive Member American Dental Association Most Insurance Accepted 6701 Sunset Drive, Suite 114 South Miami, FL 33143 Oral Surgery Oral Cancer Screening Root Canal Treatment Orthodontics (305) 666-4334 PLEA Making a plea for further UNESCO continues IAN C. JONES, D.D.S. * Preventive Dentistry * Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry * Crowns, Bridges, Dentures * Oral Surgery & Root Canals * Bleaching of Teeth Leighton A. Taylor, M.D. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon The look you dreamed of: iBREAST -P,, 11-1-ru,. 1 1 -i,,, ,-. LIPOsucTION TUMMY TUCKS VARICOSE AND SPIDER VAIN TREATMENT KELOID REMOVAL EAR LOBE REPAIR FACE LIFTS MICRODERMABRASION Please call for an appointment (954) 963-1337 Fax (954) 981-7955 2261 North University Dr., Ste 200 Pembroke Pines, FL 33024 (across from Memorial Hospital Pembroke) October 2006 CARIBBEAN TODAY www.caribbeantoday.com omr- lems. If you experience uncom- fortable side effects, ask your doctor to lower your dose or switch your medication. This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is a regis- tered pharmacist. To contact her, visit www.dearpharmacist.com. 2006 Dear Pharmacist, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Media Services, Inc 0