DEAR PEOPLE’S PHARMACY:
My father has severe COPD. The doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital prescribed Wixela, in addition to several other inhalers. Soon, he began to notice swelling in his feet. The edema then moved to his legs and onto his neck and face. Over three months, he gained more than 20 pounds from extra fluid buildup.
After numerous ER visits, his COPD doctor took him off Wixela and within 24 hours, the edema started disappearing!
A.
When chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not well-controlled, patients may experience fluid buildup, as your father did. A recent study from the Veterans Health Administration analyzed a switch from a metered-dose inhaler budesonide-formoterol (Symbicort) to a dry-powder inhaler fluticasone-salmeterol (Wixela Inhub). The investigators reported that patients needed more rescue medication and had more hospitalizations after the switch (JAMA Internal Medicine, July 7, 2025).
Q.
When I was in my 30s, I was told that I had high cholesterol and should take a statin. A physician friend discouraged me from that, so I didn’t take it.
I avoided red meat and eggs and limited processed foods in an attempt to lower it as much as I could without taking medication. About 25 years later, my doctor referred me to a cardiologist because of high cholesterol.
The cardiologist said I needed an angiogram. He was sure that because of my high cholesterol, I must have blockage in my arteries, and he was determined to find it. While I was still groggy from the anesthesia, he said, “There is no blockage, but if you don’t take a statin, you will die.” I have not taken any statins, feel great and am still alive many years later.
A.
There is no question that statins lower cholesterol levels. People at high risk of heart disease appear less likely to suffer a fatal heart attack if they take a statin. But healthy people at low risk of heart disease may not experience the same benefit.
You can learn more about the pros and cons of statins in our “eGuide to Cholesterol Control & Heart Health.” This online resource may be found under the Health eGuides tab at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
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In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.”
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People’s Pharmacy: There are ways to address edema
People’s Pharmacy: There are ways to address edema
People’s Pharmacy: There are ways to address edema