High blood pressure, known medically as hypertension, is extremely common, affecting about half of American adults. People with high blood pressure or heart disease should be aware that common over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including cold medicine and decongestants, can raise blood pressure. Show
If you have hypertension you should talk with your healthcare provider about alternatives to cold and cough medicine for people with high blood pressure. This article will cover how OTC drugs, including cough medicine, sinus medicine, and decongestants, can cause side effects for people with high blood pressure. It will also discuss safer options for people with high blood pressure. Verywell / Danie Drankwalter Cold Medicine to Avoid With HypertensionThere are lots of different types of cold and flu medications. Many of them combine decongestants, cough suppressants, and pain relievers (which also reduce fever). Although these ingredients can help you feel better, they might make heart disease and high blood pressure worse. If you have high blood pressure, you should always talk to your healthcare provider before using OTC medications. There are two common ingredients that you should be particularly mindful of. DecongestantsDecongestants work by causing blood vessels to shrink. This helps treat congestion, which happens when blood vessels in the nose become swollen. Unfortunately, decongestants can also raise blood pressure. People with high blood pressure should talk to their healthcare provider before using decongestants, including those containing pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)NSAIDs are common OTC pain relievers and fever reducers. Aleve (naproxen sodium) and Advil and Motrin (ibuprofen) are all NSAIDs. Although these are effective for treating pain, they can cause a rise in blood pressure when they’re taken by mouth. They can increase the risk for heart attack (blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle) and stroke (blockage of blood flow to the brain or a bleed in the brain) as well, so people with high blood pressure are advised not to use NSAIDs. Finding Safe and Effective Cold MedicineIt’s possible to find a safe cold medicine for high blood pressure. However, it may take some extra work. Talk to Your Healthcare Provider About OptionsIt’s best to start by asking your healthcare provider for their recommendations so you can be prepared before you are sick with a cold or the flu. They can give you a list of medications that are safe to address various symptoms, such as nasal or sinus congestion, fever, aches, or cough. Your healthcare provider can also tell you which medications to avoid and may suggest several ways you can deal with these symptoms without medications. Learn to Read Drug LabelsWhen you’re selecting an over-the-counter medication, learn to read drug labels. It’s most important to look at the active ingredients. Those are the ingredients that have the biggest impact on your body. If you have high blood pressure, avoid medications that have the following active ingredients:
Each of these comes in several other brands, and they may also be present in
multisymptom cold and flu medications that combine different active ingredients. Treating a Cold With High Blood PressureThere are safe alternatives to cold medicine for people with high blood pressure. Talk with your healthcare provider about what will work best for you. Here’s what you can consider: Over-the-Counter MedicationsThese OTC medications are safe for people with high blood pressure, but can alleviate some of the symptoms of colds:
Other RemediesYou can also control your symptoms with home remedies and natural remedies for colds, including:
SummaryPeople with high blood pressure need to be cautious about using over-the-counter cold medications. Common ingredients in cold medicines, including decongestants and NSAID pain relievers, can increase blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, ask your doctor about safer ways to treat a cold, including using Tylenol, antihistamines, and natural remedies. A Word From VerywellDealing with a cold can be miserable. When you’re not feeling well, it may be hard to remember which cold medicines are safe if you have underlying health conditions. Plan ahead by talking to your healthcare provider when you’re well about how to treat a cold, with your hypertension and heart health in mind. Frequently Asked Questions
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Kelly Burch Thanks for your feedback! What cold medication can you take when you have high blood pressure?One option would be to choose a cold medication specifically designed for those with high blood pressure. One such medication is Corticidin HBP and does not contain a decongestant. Of course, another option for nasal congestion is to use nasal sprays which do not impact blood pressure.
Does Robitussin cough syrup raise blood pressure?These medicines are not known to elevate blood pressure. The combination of dextromethorphan and guaifenesin is used to treat cough and chest congestion caused by the common cold, infections, or allergies.
Is there a cough syrup for people with high blood pressure?What Cough Medicine Can I Take with High Blood Pressure? If you're looking for safe cough medicine, consider Coricidin HBP. This medicine is specifically manufactured to be safe for patients with high blood pressure. Nyquil also makes a cough syrup and liquid gel cap made for patients who have high blood pressure.
What cough medicine can I take that won't raise my blood pressure?Guaifenesin, the active ingredient in Mucinex, is an expectorant that helps you cough up mucus when congested. This medication is also safe to use if you have high blood pressure.
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