Be Prudent About Self-Medication

Although I was pleased to contribute to your article on home medicine chests and expired medications (“Remedy for the Home,” Sept. 15), I would like to clarify that I did not agree with the expanded list that included several vitamins and herbs.

Although I often recommend such preparations to patients for specific conditions, I would never suggest that they have such things on hand for self-medication. While I was not the only source listed at the end of the article, the fact that I figured so prominently in the article gave our patients the impression that I was wholeheartedly endorsing the home use of these substances.

DR. SUSAN STANGL

UCLA Family Health Center