Are OTC cold remedies safe for people with high blood pressure?

[David Baxter PhD]

Are over-the-counter cold remedies safe for people who have high blood pressure?
Answer by Sheldon G. Sheps, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Over-the-counter cold remedies aren't off-limits if you have high blood pressure, but it's important to make careful choices.

Among over-the-counter cold remedies, decongestants cause most concern for people who have high blood pressure. Decongestants relieve nasal stuffiness by constricting blood vessels and reducing swelling in the nose. This constriction can affect other blood vessels as well, however, 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.

Instead:

• Take a pain reliever. To relieve a fever, sore throat, headache or body aches, try aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
• Use saline nasal spray. To relieve nasal congestion, try saline nasal spray. The spray can help flush your sinuses.
• Soothe your throat. To relieve a sore or scratchy throat, gargle with warm salt water or drink warm lemon water with honey.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Water, juice, tea and soup can help clear your lungs of phlegm and mucus.
• Increase the humidity in your home. Use a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer to moisten the air and ease congestion and coughing.
• Get plenty of rest. If you're not feeling well, take it easy.

Consult your doctor if your signs and symptoms get worse instead of better or last more than about 10 days.