 | Kent Richardson graduated from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy in 1972. Kent has owned and operated Richardson's Pharmacy, a retail independent pharmacy, and Richardson's Medical, a Durable Medical Equipment and Oxygen company in Wichita, KS since 1973. He also owns Custom Rx, Inc., a compounding only pharmacy in Wichita, KS. Since 1988, Kent has served on the Board of Directors of PACE Alliance, the largest retail pharmacy-buying group in the United States, and is currently Vice Chairman of that organization. He has also served as President and Chairman of the American College of Apothecaries, an international professional association of pharmacists, and has served on their Board of Directors for 14 years. Kent holds memberships in the National Community Pharmacists Association, American Pharmaceutical Association and the Kansas Pharmacy Association and has served and is still serving on various committees for these organizations. His employment history includes serving as Marketing Director for a regional Prescription Benefit Management Company (PBM) for twelve years. For the last seven years he has been instrumental in the development of Right Choice Pharmacy, a totally unique concept in the cost-effective provision of maintenance prescriptions via community pharmacies. You can reach Kent Richardson at Richardson's Custom Rx Pharmacy (316) 721-2626 located at 3510 N. Ridge Rd. in Wichita, or visit their website at www.customrx.net |
Pharmaceuticals
2005-02-01 11:14:00
Body-building supps dangerous?
: My grandson wants to try out for the football team next year and he says he needs to start taking some body building supplements. Are these supplements dangerous?
ANSWER: Well that depends on which supplements. If these supplements contain steroids or precursors of steroids they can be dangerous. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun to come down hard on companies that manufacture and distribute products that contain the most popular muscle building steroid, androstenedione, commonly known as "andro". These companies have been asked to quit distributing the products and the FDA has threatened serious consequences for those that fail to comply.Androstenedione, when ingested orally, is converted to testosterone in the liver and circulates in the body, increasing both male and female sex hormone levels. This drug is particularly popular with athletes and others who take the supplement to build muscle and enhance athletic performance.These anabolic steroids are top choices for teenagers who want to become stronger or perform better. It is estimated that 1 million 12 to 17-year olds have taken potentially dangerous drugs and supplements. Children who use these products may undergo early onset of puberty and experience premature cessation of bone growth. Long-term consequences of androstenedione use in men include testicular atrophy, impotence, and feminization. Women are at risk for menstrual abnormalities, blood clots, and breast and endometrial cancer. Although illegal, these drugs are available on the Internet or in body building gyms. Other popular choices in teens are ephedra and creatine. The FDA has banned ephedra and has announced plans to ban the use and sale of supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids. Ephedra has been linked to heart ailments and strokes, and there is little evidence that it is effective for anything other than short-term weight loss. Creatine is a dietary supplement that is thought to enhance the body's ability to add muscle mass. However, there is limited data to support these claims.Most young people do not know the negative side effects of these substances or believe that the benefits outweigh the risks. The development of muscle mass, overly aggressive behavior, depressions, and irritability are clues to start asking about steroid or supplement use.
