52 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
11. Other vitamins (p. 391)
As a general rule, DO NOT INJECT VITAMINS. Injections are more dangerous, more
expensive, and usually no more effective than pills.
Unfortunately, many people waste their money on syrups, tonics, and ‘elixirs’
that contain vitamins. Many lack the most important vitamins (see p. 118). But even
when they contain them, it is wiser to buy more and better food. Body-building and
protective foods like beans, eggs, meat, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains are rich in
vitamins and other nutrients (see p. 111). Giving a thin, weak person good food more
often will usually help him far more than giving him vitamin and mineral supplements.
A person who eats well does not need extra vitamins.
THE BEST WAY TO GET VITAMINS:
For more information about vitamins, when they are necessary, and the foods that
have them, read Chapter 11, especially pages 111 and 118.
12. Combination medicines
Sometimes, 2 or more medicines are combined in the same pill or tonic. Usually they
are less effective, and more expensive, when prepared this way. Sometimes they do
more harm than good. If someone wants to prescribe combination medicines, ask him
or her to prescribe only the medicine that is really necessary. Do not waste your money
on unnecessary medicines.
Some medicines for HIV come in combination pills (see p. 397). This makes them
easier to take.
Some common combination medicines that should be avoided are:
• cough medicines which contain medicines both to suppress a cough and also
to get rid of mucus. (Cough medicines are almost always useless and a waste of
money, whether or not they combine medicines.)
• antibiotics combined with anti-diarrhea medicine
• antacids to treat stomach ulcers together with medicine to prevent stomach
cramps
• 2 or more pain medicines (aspirin with acetaminophen—sometimes also with
caffeine)