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A 22-year-old female asked about a 52-year-old female:

High blood pressure what kind of cold medicine should i take?

2 doctor answers3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Philip Miller
A Verified Doctoranswered
Family Medicine 49 years experience
Fluids/tylenol: non-sedating antihistamine: avoid all decongestant and decongestant cough medications since they can raise your BP. I suggest zinc losenges ( Cold-Eze) and dark brown honey, hot steam showers and force the fluids.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Julie Abbott
Preventive Medicine 47 years experience
Avoid decongestants: Decongestant OTC cold remedies cause the most concern. Avoid products that contain pseudoephedrine, (ephedrine sulfate) ephedrine, (ephedrine sulfate) phenylephrine, naphazoline and oxymetazoline. Look for labels which indicate "safe for hypertension" patients. Simple acetominophen may help, as will a saline nasal spray. Gargle with warm salt water or drink warm water with lemon and honey. Stay hydrated. Increase home humidity. REST!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Similar questions

Tampa, FL
A 34-year-old male asked:

Is it OK to take nyquil, or any type cold medicine,with high blood pressure?

1 doctor answer2 doctors weighed in
Dr. John Chiu
Allergy and Immunology 59 years experience
Depends: Many cold medicine contains a nasal decongestant which would raise the blood pressure. The BP rise however depends on how well the BP is under control and what kind of BP pill is used. Nyquil however should be fine.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Last updated Aug 21, 2014

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