Cough Medicine To Avoid With High Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure, it is important to be careful about the type of cough medicine you take. Some cough medicines can raise your blood pressure, making it difficult to manage your hypertension. In this article, we will discuss the cough medicine to avoid with high blood pressure and suggest some alternatives that are safe to use.
Why should you be careful with cough medicine?
Cough medicine contains different types of active ingredients that work to relieve symptoms such as cough, congestion, and sore throat. However, many cough medicines contain decongestants, which can raise your blood pressure. Decongestants work by narrowing blood vessels in your nasal passages, which reduces swelling and congestion. However, this narrowing effect can also affect blood vessels throughout your body, including those that regulate blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure, this can be a problem because it can cause your blood pressure to rise further, which can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. In addition, some cough medicines contain other ingredients such as caffeine, which can also increase blood pressure.
Cough medicine to avoid with high blood pressure
When choosing a cough medicine, it is important to read the label carefully and avoid any products that contain decongestants or other ingredients that can raise your blood pressure. Some common cough medicines to avoid include:
1. Sudafed and Sudafed PE: These products contain pseudoephedrine, which is a decongestant that can raise blood pressure.
2. Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough: This product contains aspirin, which can also increase blood pressure in some people.
3. Coricidin HBP: This product is marketed specifically for people with high blood pressure, but it still contains decongestants that can raise blood pressure.
4. Nyquil: This product contains alcohol, which can interact with blood pressure medications and make it more difficult to control your hypertension.
Safe alternatives for cough medicine
If you have high blood pressure, there are several safe alternatives for cough medicine that you can use. These include:
1. Mucinex: This product contains an expectorant called guaifenesin, which helps to thin mucus and make it easier to cough up. It does not contain decongestants, so it is safe for people with high blood pressure.
2. Robitussin DM: This product contains dextromethorphan, which is a cough suppressant, and guaifenesin, which is an expectorant. It does not contain decongestants, so it is safe for people with high blood pressure.
3. Halls Cough Drops: These cough drops contain menthol, which can help to soothe a sore throat and reduce coughing. They do not contain decongestants, so they are safe for people with high blood pressure.
4. Throat Coat Tea: This herbal tea contains ingredients such as licorice root, slippery elm, and marshmallow root, which can help to soothe a sore throat and reduce coughing. It does not contain decongestants, so it is safe for people with high blood pressure.
Conclusion
If you have high blood pressure, it is important to be careful about the type of cough medicine you take. Many cough medicines contain decongestants, which can raise your blood pressure and make it difficult to manage your hypertension. When choosing a cough medicine, it is important to read the label carefully and avoid any products that contain decongestants or other ingredients that can raise your blood pressure. There are several safe alternatives for cough medicine that you can use, such as Mucinex, Robitussin DM, Halls Cough Drops, and Throat Coat Tea.
