Do you also have high blood pressure? Then know these things before taking allergy medication! (Hypertension & Allergy Drugs)

Many of us have a habit of going to the pharmacy and taking medicine whenever we feel a little sick. Especially when we have a cold, a body ache, or a small skin rash, we think, "Oh, do I really need to go to a doctor for this?" But if you have high blood pressure , or as we all know, "pressure," this habit can be very dangerous for your body. Today we're going to talk about things you need to be careful about when taking allergy medicine as a person with pressure.

Golden rule: Talk to your doctor before taking any medication!

This is the most important thing. You may be taking daily medication for your blood pressure. Or you may be someone who is controlling your blood pressure. However, before you start using any new medication , it is essential to tell your doctor.

You might think, "Hey, I'm taking this for an allergy, what's going to happen to my blood pressure?" But the truth is more complicated than that.

Some medications, especially those you can buy over-the-counter from pharmacies, can interact with the medications you take to control your blood pressure . This includes:

• That medicine may increase your blood pressure even more .
• Otherwise, the medicine you take for your blood pressure may become less effective .

This doesn't just happen with Western medicine. It's very important to inform your doctor about any Sinhala medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, vitamins, or other supplements you're taking.

Two Types of Allergy Medications: Antihistamines and Decongestants

Allergy medications can be divided into two main categories. Understanding the difference between the two can help you better understand the risks you are taking.

1. Antihistamines

Simply put, these are medications that control the itching, skin rash, runny nose, and sneezing that occur during an allergy. For example, medications like Chlorpheniramine or Cetirizine, which we all know, belong to this category.

Are these good for people with high blood pressure ?

In most cases, this type of medication is considered relatively safe for people with high blood pressure. However, the word "mostly" is important. This can also affect some people. Therefore,It is wise to consult your doctor before using it, rather than deciding on your own, "This is just an antihistamine, it's okay to take it."

2. Decongestants

This is the type of medication we should be especially careful of and can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure.

The word 'decongestant' means 'removing congestion.' These are used to relieve nasal congestion caused by things like colds and sinus problems, making it easier to breathe.

How do these work?

Imagine that the small blood vessels inside your nose are swollen and enlarged. That's when your nose gets stuffy. This (Decongestant) medicine works by constricting those swollen blood vessels. Then the swelling goes down, your nose opens up, and it becomes easier to breathe.

The problem lies here:

This medicine doesn't just work on the blood vessels in your nose. It also constricts the blood vessels throughout your body to some extent. Now imagine, what would happen if the blood vessels in your body were constricted? Just like when you squeeze a water pipe, the water pressure increases, and your blood pressure also increases.

For someone who is tired after taking medication to control their blood pressure, taking a medicine like this can ruin that effort. Also, sometimes the blood pressure can increase to dangerous levels.

✨ Medical equipment Verified Partner

Medical test equipment that can be used at home

Essential home medical devices including blood pressure monitors, oximeters and digital thermometers.

Check Availability →

Most risky: Beware of "Combination Drugs"!

This is where many people make a mistake without realizing it. There are medicines in pharmacies that advertise themselves as "a single pill for colds, flu and coughs". These are called 'Combination Drugs'. If you look at the ingredients of these, they contain a painkiller (e.g. paracetamol), an allergy medicine (Antihistamine) and a nasal decongestant (Decongestant) mixed together.

If you take a medicine like this, saying, "This is for a cold," you are unknowingly ingesting a decongestant that is harmful to your blood pressure.

So what do I do?

When you have allergies or a cold, you don't have to suffer without taking medicine. There are safe things you can do.

1. See your doctor immediately: This is the best and safest thing to do. Your doctor can assess your condition and prescribe a safe medication that won't affect your blood pressure.

2. Steam Inhalation: If you have a stuffy nose, this is a great solution. Putting some menthol in a bowl of hot water, covering your head with a towel, and inhaling the steam will greatly reduce the stuffiness in your nose.

3. Saline Nasal Sprays: These are sprays that contain salt water. These can help moisten the inside of the nose and reduce congestion without any side effects. It is a good idea to ask your doctor about these before buying them from the pharmacy.

4. Rest and drink fluids: Resting the body and drinking warm fluids (soup, stew) helps the immune system.