citizensmemorial.com 9 Some common OTC medicines can raise blood pressure KEEP YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE IN CHECK: See your primary care provider (PCP) regularly. Don’t have a PCP? Call the CMH Information Center at 417-328-6010. If you’re trying to keep high blood pressure under control, pay attention to the over-the-counter (OTC) medicines you’re taking. The reason? OTC medicines for everything from headaches to cold symptom relief can give blood pressure an unwanted boost. Some even make your blood pressure drugs less likely to work well for you. Medicines that can affect blood pressure include: » NSAIDs. Short for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs include the pain relievers ibuprofen (such as Advil and Motrin) and naproxen (such as Aleve). Prescription-strength NSAIDs also decrease the effectiveness of most blood-pressure-lowering drugs. » Acetaminophen. Possibly to a lesser degree than NSAIDs, this pain and fever reducer (one example is Tylenol) can also raise blood pressure. » Cold and flu remedies. Medicines that contain decongestants constrict blood vessels, which can cause blood pressure to increase. In addition, decongestants may lessen the effectiveness of high blood pressure medicines. What you can do These drugs typically raise blood pressure by a small amount. But even small increases can affect your overall blood pressure control. When buying OTC medicines: » Read the label. Some medicines may contain warnings for people with high blood pressure and those taking blood pressure drugs. OTC cold remedies that are designed for people with high blood pressure will say so on the label. » Check the sodium content. Some OTC meds are loaded with sodium, which also raises blood pressure. » Check ingredients lists for the words sodium or soda. Sodium might be found in all types of medicines. Many effervescent medicines and vitamins get their fizz from sodium bicarbonate. A pharmacist may be able to help you find the same medicine in another form. » Talk to your doctor. When in doubt, ask your doctor if an OTC medicine you’re thinking of taking may affect your blood pressure levels or your blood pressure medicines. In fact, it’s always a good idea to let your doctor know about all of the medicines and supplements you’re taking, including those you can buy without a prescription. If a medicine does pose a problem for you, your doctor might be able to suggest an alternative that won’t affect your blood pressure treatment plan. Know your numbers Monitoring your blood pressure can help you find out if your medications are working well—or if it might be time to make some changes. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend taking blood pressure readings at home. Ask your doctor for advice on choosing a blood pressure device. Sources: American Heart Association; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute ways to protect against a stroke. It lowers your cholesterol and blood pressure levels and helps you maintain a healthy weight. If you smoke, it’s time to quit. Smoking increases the risk for stroke in numerous ways. Your doctor can help you quit. Manage your blood pressure. High blood pressure is the leading risk factor for stroke. Following tips one through four above can help keep your blood pressure under control. So can taking medicine to lower your pressure, if needed. Know the warning signs of stroke Stroke is a medical emergency, and it requires immediate treatment. If you or anyone you know experiences one or more of the following symptoms, call 911 right away: » Sudden confusion, or trouble talking or understanding speech. » Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. » Sudden trouble walking, or sudden dizziness or loss of balance or coordination. » Sudden severe headache with no known cause. Sources: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 4 5
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