Are over-the-counter cold remedies safe for people who have high blood pressure?Answer From Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D. Show
Over-the-counter cold remedies aren't off-limits if you have high blood pressure or take medication for high blood pressure, but it's important to make careful choices. Talk to your doctor before taking any OTC medications or supplements. Among over-the-counter cold remedies, decongestants cause the most concern for people who have high blood pressure. Decongestants relieve nasal stuffiness by narrowing blood vessels and reducing swelling in the nose. This narrowing can affect other blood vessels as well, which can increase blood pressure. To keep your blood pressure in check, avoid over-the-counter decongestants and multisymptom cold remedies that contain decongestants — such as pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, phenylephrine, naphazoline and oxymetazoline. Also, check the label for high sodium content, which can also raise blood pressure. Instead:
Call your doctor if your signs and symptoms get worse instead of better or last more than 10 days. With Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To
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. Can I take Robitussin DM with high blood pressure?To keep your blood pressure in check, avoid over-the-counter decongestants and multisymptom cold remedies that contain decongestants — such as pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, phenylephrine, naphazoline and oxymetazoline. Also, check the label for high sodium content, which can also raise blood pressure.
Can you take cough medicine with DM if you have high blood pressure?Yes, it's fine for you to take Mucinex DM if you have high blood pressure. It contains two active ingredients: dextromethorphan and guaifenesin. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.
Does DM cough syrup raise your blood pressure?High blood pressure isn't a common side effect of Mucinex DM (guaifenesin / dextromethorphan). Neither of the main ingredients should have an effect on blood pressure when taken as recommended on the package.
What is the best cough medicine for adults 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.
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