What Allergy Medicines Can I Take If I Have High Blood Pressure
Although some allergy medicines affect your blood pressure or interact with your blood pressure medication, safe options for treating your allergy symptoms exist if you have high blood pressure.
Second-generation antihistamines that are not combined with decongestants are generally safe to use if you are not taking the blood pressure medicines listed in the drug interaction section above. Second-generation antihistamines include the following:
- Allegra
- Xyzal
- Zyrtec
If your symptoms include nasal congestion, the following options are generally safe to use as decongestants:
- steroid nasal sprays, such as Flonase , Nasacort , and Rhinocort
- antihistamine nasal sprays, such as Astelin and Patanase
- saline nasal sprays or rinses, such as Ayr, Ocean, Simply Saline, or Neti Pot
Antihistamine eye drops, such as Pataday and Zaditor , are safe options for itchy watery eyes.
Is There A Difference Between Allegra Allergies And Prednisone
In this article, we talk about Interactions with Allegra Allergy and Prednisone, what does it mean? I have allergies. I had been prescribed 20mg of prednisone for 5days. 5 days was the allotted number of times the ER physicians could prescribe do to the seriousness of the prednisone. The very first day I obtained relief, not complete relief, however, some relief. My allergies continued to clean up as another day improved. I didnt reach whole relief Im guessing because of the simple fact I only urged 5 days of medicine. After I stopped taking the prednisone my most allergies came back again. But that neither here nor there, back.yo, my purpose. I was prescribed prednisone after by another.emergency room physician.
What Is A Blocked Eustachian Tube
Eustachian tubes are inside the ears and connect the middle ear to the back of the nose. They help the ears drain fluid, stabilize air pressure inside the ear, and keep germs out.
Eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the throat. When you yawn or swallow, the tubes open to match the pressure inside the ears to the pressure outside. Sometimes fluid or pressure can get stuck in the ear or swelling can occur, which blocks the tubes. The pressure outside the tubes gets too high and causes pain.
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Which Allergy Medications Affect My Blood Pressure
You should avoid decongestants if you have high blood pressure or heart problems. Decongestants constrict blood vessels to open nasal passages and facilitate breathing. Because decongestants constrict blood vessels throughout your body, they can worsen hypertension. Additionally, decongestants stimulate the release of norepinephrine in your body, which raises your blood pressure and your heart rate.
When choosing an allergy medication, be aware of combination products that contain decongestants. Products that contain a decongestant typically have the words sinus, cold, congestion, or on the label. They may also be labeled with the letters D, PD, or PE after the name.
Examples of allergy medicines that contain decongestants include the following:
- Allegra D
- Benadryl D
- Clarinex D
- Claritin D
- Sudafed Sinus and Allergy
- Zyrtec D
The list above is a small sample of allergy medications that contain decongestants. Always check with your pharmacist before choosing allergy medications.
Avoid Foods That Can Cause A Reaction
People with seasonal allergies often have antibodies that can cause their immune system to overreact to certain foods. This phenomenon is called cross-reactivity. For instance, if youre allergic to ragweed, you may experience allergy symptoms like itching on your lips, tongue, and mouth if you eat bananas, melons, cucumber, or zucchini, Dykewicz says. If youre allergic to birch tree pollen, you may have allergy symptoms after eating apples, pears, peaches, hazelnuts, kiwi, carrots, or celery. These problems may only occur during the season in which your allergies are at their worst.
Regardless of the season, help minimize your allergy symptoms by keeping all these triggers in mind and avoiding them as much as possible.
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Why Medications And Alcohol Don’t Mix
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , there are several reasons that it can be harmful to mix medications and alcohol. The ways that drugs and alcohol interact in your body can go both ways: Alcohol can change how a medication works, and certain drugs can change how you feel the effects of alcohol.
Alcohol can make some medications less effective by interfering with how they are absorbed in the digestive tract. In some cases, alcohol increases the bioavailability of a drug, which can raise the concentration of the medication in your blood to toxic levels.
Additionally, drinking alcohol can also make the side effects of a medication worse or even cause new symptoms. This is especially true if you are taking a medication that makes you sleepy or causes sedation. The mixture of opiates and alcohol, for example, can cause your breathing to stop and is a common cause of death.
The label on your medication may not specifically warn against consuming alcohol while you are taking the drug, so it’s important not to assume that the absence of a warning means it is safe to mix the two.
Additionally, if you have an underlying health condition like heart disease or high blood pressure , mixing alcohol with your medications can put you at risk for complications.
Other symptoms that can occur if you mix medications with alcohol include:
- Blood pressure changes
- Lack of coordination
- Nausea and vomiting
When To See A Doctor For An Earache
Sometimes no amount of self-care or over-the-counter medication can help an ear infection. Knowing when to see a doctor can help further complications from developing.
If your earache is severe or accompanied by other symptoms such as a fever or hearing loss, you should see a doctor. You might be referred to an ear, nose, and throat doctor.
In some cases, people with a chronic ear infection may need to have surgery. Doctors can put small tubes into the eardrum that will help prevent ear infections. The tubes allow air to flow into the middle ear and fluid to drain.
Leaving an ear infection untreated can cause the infection to spread or cause permanent problems with balance and hearing loss.
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Allergy Medicines And Hypertension
Allergy season is in full swing in many parts of the country. For some, that means battling symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion, runny nose, itching, and watery eyes. If you are among the over 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies each year, you may be headed to a pharmacy near you for relief of your allergy symptoms. Choosing allergy medication that is right for you may be tricky if you have hypertension . Read on to learn how some allergy medicines may affect your blood pressure and your blood pressure medication.
Alcohol And Medication: These Are The Medications You Should Never Mix With Alcohol
Youve heard before that you shouldnt mix alcohol with medication, but it’s worth repeating: There are many drugs that can interact with alcohol resulting in loss of memory and consciousness, James J. Galligan, Ph.D., a professor of pharmacology and toxicology and director of the neuroscience program at Michigan State University, tells SELF. Even one or two drinks can interact with some drugs to produce severe intoxication and potentially loss of consciousness in some people.
These drugs usually come with a warning that tells people not to drink alcohol while taking the medication, Dr. Galligan says, but most people forget, don’t read them, or choose to ignore them. Aside from memory loss, there are other serious health implications that can come when you mix certain medications with alcohol.
Some of major medications to watch out for are some of the most commonly prescribed ones, Neil MacKinnon, Ph.D., dean of the James L Winkle College of Pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati, tells SELF. Those include antidepressants, opioids, blood-thinners, and benzodiazepines, a class of drugs thats often used to treat anxiety and sleep issues, Dr. MacKinnon says.
Here are just some examples of drugs you should avoid mixing with alcohol, and why that can be dangerous. Even more information can be found in this factsheet from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism .
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Add A Nasal Steroid Spray
Antihistamines can relieve the mild congestion that comes along with most bouts of allergies, but some people may experience more severe congestion. If this sounds like you, Dr. Hays recommends using a nasal steroid spray in addition to taking an antihistamine.
Until recently, nasal steroid sprays were offered only by prescription. Now, there are a few you can buy over-the-counter, including:
- Budesonide
- Triamcinolone
“Nasal steroid sprays won’t help with all of your allergy symptoms, such as itchy and watery eyes, but they do help with nasal congestion, post-nasal drip and scratchy throat,” Dr. Hays explains.
Just like antihistamines, Dr. Hays says that nasal steroid sprays need to be used every day to be effective. The good news is that they’re also generally safe and well-tolerated.
“However, unlike antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays don’t provide quick relief from allergy symptoms,” Dr. Hays says. “It can take a few days for a nasal steroid spray to take effect.”
Keep Sniffles And Itchy Eyes At Bay With These Options
Daniel More, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, FACP, is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist with a background in internal medicine.
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From pets to pollen, allergies are the worst. Unfortunately, its often difficult to avoid the stuff youre allergic to. Who can resist an adorable puppy or a lovely stroll in the park? To get your watery eyes, runny nose, and all other symptoms under control, you need a reliable over-the-counter allergy medicine.
Even though there are dozens of options available to treat allergies, the various options can be overwhelming. Allergy medications may promise instant relief, but theyre not all the samesome may induce drowsiness, while others may only treat specific allergies. Take into consideration your individual symptoms, which may be treated best by specific ingredients or forms, from liquid and sprays to tablets.
Whether youre looking for natural ingredients or a non-drowsy pill that will keep you going throughout the day, these are the best OTC allergy medicines.
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Ways To Treat Allergies According To Eastern Medicine
Allergies are a nuisance to deal with, and if you’re someone who is sick of popping antihistamines every time you get the sniffles, you might be looking for alternative remedies. There are a number of ways to treat allergies,according to Eastern Medicine, and incorporating some of these treatments into your routine might be helpful if you’re struggling to get rid of those pesky symptoms. SinceEastern Medicine deals more with the cause of allergies, you might find that you have more success managing your allergy symptoms by incorporating these natural remedies.
“According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, allergies are a response to an imbalance in your body,”Simone Wan, L.Ac, M.S, a nationally licensed herbalist and acupuncturist, tells Bustle. “Your bodyâs organs are always in flux, and symptoms like allergic flare ups are a sign that your bodyâs organs need to be rebalanced from either a deficiency or excess.”
For instance, if you are suffering from sneezing and coughing, this relates to the nose and throat, which relates to the lungs, ways Wan. Boosting your lungs or reducing the excess in your lungs would be part of the treatment. If your allergies manifest in itchiness and redness in your eyes, then your allergies are rooted in a poor or deficient liver function.
It’s time to banish those watery eyes and runny nose once and for all by using some ancient treatments. Here are eight ways to treat allergies, according to Eastern Medicine.
Types Of Sinus Medicines
The combination of sinus infection medicine is used for the temporary treatment for the symptoms of sinus like flu, cold, allergies, and other breathing problems.
The Decongestants medicines are helping you to relieve a stuffy nose. Stuffy nose is the most irritating problem triggered by the inflammation in the blood vessels of the sinus. Due to the acute upper respiratory infection, the blood vessels can be disturbed because of cold and sinus infection. Decongestants medicine is helping to relieve this problem.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen medicines are the most commonly used sinus medicine it is a non-aspirin pain reliever and the fever reducer, which helps to reduce the pain.
Antihistamines
The Antihistamines medicines are designed for resisting the action of histamine this is one of the chemicals that is generated in the body for allergic reactions like itches in eyes, nose, throat, and watery eye and running nose problem. Also, these medicines help to reduce nasal stuffiness and mucus production. If you have any allergies due to the sinus, your healthcare provider refers to add this medicine for your treatment.
Antibiotic
Sometimes your healthcare provider will collect the mucus from the nose and send it to the laboratory to check the bacteria infection. This test will also help to choose the antibiotic for bacteria infections. Using antibiotics leads to bacterial resistance and side effects, so you have to use the antibiotics carefully and thoughtfully.
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Can I Compare Prescription Prices Before Filling My Allergy Medicine
The majority of allergy medications are now available over the counter. This means that many insurance plans no longer cover your allergy medicine. If your insurance does not cover your medication, you can use a prescription savings card to get the lowest prescription price. You can save up to 80% or more off the retail price by using the ScriptSave® WellRx discount card at a pharmacy near you.
Rosanna Sutherby is a freelance medical writer who has been a practicing pharmacist in her community for close to 20 years. She obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She utilizes her clinical training in the pharmacy, where she helps patients manage disease states such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and many others. Dr. Sutherby reviews and recommends drug regimens based on patients concurrent conditions and potential drug interactions.
Sinus Infections And Allergy Medications
One sign of a stressed liver is that your mucous will get thicker and more yellow in color. A test you can do to monitor whether your body is having a hard time processing an allergy medication or pain reliever is to note the color of your mucous before you take the medication and then after.
If your mucous is clear, you have allergies. If within 12 hours of taking a medication, your mucous gets thicker and/or turns from clear to yellow or yellow/green, your body is having a difficult time processing the medication you just took. Moreover, if you are prone to getting sinus infections, be forewarned this is an early warning signal of an impending sinus infection. The time frame from allergy to sinus infection is very fast, so you must take action quickly.
If you’ve noticed this reaction to pain relievers or allergy medications, please let us know using our reader feedback form.
Reader Feedback
It’s mind boggling how an allergy medication is allowed to sold and it causes more severe conditions. I’ve been sick 4 times in 8 weeks. with ear/sinus/respiratory infections since I started taking Claritin-D a few months a go then switche dot ZyrtecD both made me execessivley thirsty with constant infrections. I am medicaiton free now and would like to know more about success with holistic tries. I have read that allergies is a symptom of dehydration, maybe an utlra hydrating product
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Be Smart Be Aware Of Allergy Medication Side Effects
Smart use of allergy medications knowing how they treat symptoms, being aware of potential unwanted side effects and, most important, monitoring their effect on you and your health is just one step toward controlling allergy and cold symptoms. Even more important: knowing what you are allergic to and taking steps to prevent or reduce exposure.
If your allergy symptoms tend to last longer than two weeks or are not adequately controlled with over-the-counter medications, schedule an appointment with a board-certified allergist for a full diagnosis.
Antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids are intended for symptom relief. If antihistamines or intranasal corticosteroids are causing side effects such as drowsiness or other problems, there are other treatment options your doctor can offer you, such as allergen immunotherapy.
Reviewed by Dennis Williams, PharmD
8229 Boone Blvd, Suite 260, Vienna, VA 22182
What About Antihistamines In Cold And Flu Medications
What many people may not know is that cold and flu medicines marketed to treat runny nose and sneezing usually include first-generation antihistamines the more sedating types. Thats because they are often better at treating cold symptoms and drying up runny nose than the newer types.
Because of their sedating effect, cold medicines with antihistamines are labeled for nighttime use. Take this labeling seriously, as some include medications like doxylamine that are more sedating than others. Check labels for dosages, as well, as these may vary, even within brands.
More is not better read labels carefully and take only as recommended. Dont supplement a multi-symptom cold medication with another single-ingredient antihistamine.
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How Do I Safely Take Otc Antihistamines
Read the directions on the label before taking any medicine. Learn how much to take and how often you should take it. If you have any questions about how much medicine to take, call your family doctor or pharmacist. Keep track of which OTC medicines you are using and when you take them. If you need to go to the doctor, take the list with you.
Follow these tips to make sure you are taking the right amount of medicine:
- Take only the amount recommended on the medicines label. Dont assume that more medicine will work better or quicker. Taking more than the recommended amount can be dangerous.
- Mixing medicines can be dangerous. If you take a prescription medicine, ask your doctor if its okay to also take an OTC antihistamine.
- Dont use more than 1 OTC antihistamine at a time unless your doctor says its okay. They may have similar active ingredients that add up to be too much medicine.
