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 cause your blood pressure to rise 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 ?
Most of the time, this type of medicine is considered relatively safe for people with high blood pressure. However, the word "most of the time" is important. Some people can also be affected by this. Therefore, it is wise to consult your doctor before using it , rather than deciding on your own that "this is just an antihistamine, it's okay to take it."
2. Decongestants
This is the type of medication we should pay special attention to 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.
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.
| Type of medicine | What to pay attention to |
|---|---|
| Decongestants | These can come in the form of pills, syrups, or nasal sprays. If they contain names like Pseudoephedrine, Phenylephrine, or Oxymetazoline, they are decongestants. Never use them without medical advice. |
| Combination Cold & Flu Drugs | Carefully read the ingredients list on medicine boxes that come with names like "Cold + Flu," "Sinus Relief," or "Day & Night." If it contains a decongestant, avoid it. Ask your doctor about a safer alternative. |
| Certain Painkillers | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen can also increase blood pressure and affect the kidneys when used long-term. Talk to your doctor about these as well. |
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.
Take-Home Message
- If you have high blood pressure, avoid taking medication from the pharmacy without medical advice for any reason .
- Be very careful when taking allergy or cold medications that contain decongestants . These can raise your blood pressure.
- Combination drugs with names like "cold and flu" often contain decongestants without you realizing it.
- The best and only way to know which treatment is right for you and is safest is to talk to your doctor.
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