Q: I rarely take medicine, but this winter I have had sinusitis and a nasty cough that required several medications. My enlarged prostate gets me up to go to the bathroom a few times a night, and I have trouble falling back to sleep.

I am in total shock after a trip to the pharmacy. Here is a list of my medications and the cost. My insurance has a high deductible, so this is all out of pocket: Flovent inhaler ($173.52) to ease my cough; Singulair ($126.99) and Nasonex ($102.99) for allergies; Nexium ($180.99) for reflux; Avodart ($124.99) for the prostate and Ambien ($130.99) for insomnia. Total: $840.47.

Is there any way to get these drugs more affordably? Another month like this and I'll be eating rice and beans.

A: Yikes! Without insurance, prescription drugs can bust a budget. You might want to consider purchasing some of your medicine from a legitimate Canadian online pharmacy. Doing so could save you more than $300.

Not all online pharmacies are reliable, however. We are sending you our Guide to Saving Money on Medicine with tips on identifying genuine Canadian online drugstores, plus ways to use generic drugs safely and information on accessing free medicine.

Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (58 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. CA-99, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It can also be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q: I have had eczema ever since I was a child. I have used many steroid creams through the years, and while they help alleviate it a bit, those creams were not very soothing in bad bouts and just kept away the worst irritations.

I have been going to a young dermatologist who advised me to use CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (not lotion). I can't rave about it enough.

Immediately after bathing, I put it on, and 24 hours later, when I shower, I can feel that the cream is still there. I have only had to use one of the prescription creams a few times since starting with this more than a year ago. Keeping my skin hydrated seems to do the trick for me.

A: CeraVe moisturizer contains no fragrance to irritate the skin, but it does contain ceramides. These are natural fatty compounds found in cell membranes. People with eczema frequently have lower levels of ceramides in their skin. Moisturizing can help keep eczema from itching and may boost the effectiveness of topical steroids when you need to use them.

Q: About a month ago, my son-in-law started taking one regular Bayer aspirin each morning and one Bayer PM before going to sleep. Two weeks into this regimen, he started bleeding from the mouth while he was sleeping. He stopped taking the aspirin and the bleeding stopped as well. Is this a possible side effect?

A: Aspirin can thin the blood by interfering with the sticky part of blood called platelets. Some people are especially susceptible to this effect, so even a standard dose might trigger bleeding.

Q: I have read that magnesium is an important supplement, but I have no idea how much to take. Can one overdose on this element? Is it really as important as calcium?

A: Magnesium is crucial for heart and bone health and is frequently in short supply in the diet. A safe dose ranges from 300 mg to 500 mg. Too much magnesium can lead to loose stools or diarrhea.