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 | Is it safe to take decongestants if I have high blood pressure? |
|  Decongestants can temporarily relieve nasal congestion—a problem that can stem from many causes including colds, flu, and allergies. You can take decongestants orally (by mouth) or as nasal sprays or drops. Most oral decongestants contain the ingredient pseudoephedrine. These products (brand names Sudafed and Good Sense) are more likely than nasal varieties to cause an increase in blood pressure, since they’re more readily absorbed into the bloodstream. Common nasal decongestant sprays include products such as oxymetazoline (Afrin) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine). Blood pressure elevations caused by oral decongestants are often very mild, but they can be a problem if your blood pressure is high or uncontrolled. If you have high blood pressure, consult your doctor before taking an oral decongestant. He or she may recommend that you take a regular (short-acting) form of pseudoephedrine rather than extended-release products. Or that you should avoid oral decongestants and use a nasal decongestant instead.Sources: Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. American Pharmaceutical Association, 2000.Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts and Comparisons, 2000.This answer prepared 9/15/00. |
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