Can cough drops raise blood pressure?

Are you one of those people who freak out whenever the number on the blood pressure monitor goes up? Do you panic every time you pop a pill or consume something new because it might just be what causes your systolic and diastolic readings to skyrocket instead of coming down? Worry no more. Today, we answer one question that has been bugging many people: can cough drops raise blood pressure?

Excuse Me, What are Cough Drops?

Before answering this very important question, let’s first define our terms here. For those who’ve never had a cold in their life (lucky bastards), let me introduce you to cough drops.

Cough drops are lozenges that dissolve slowly in your mouth and contain active ingredients like menthol or eucalyptus oil which help soothe sore throats and relieve coughing. They’re basically magical minty tablets made for invalids – but don’t get too excited yet.

The Main Ingredients of Cough Drops

Now let’s get technical for a bit (brace yourselves). Cough drops typically have three main types of ingredients:

  1. Active Ingredients: These are medicinal substances like dextromethorphan which reduce coughing.
  2. Inactive Ingredients: This is where things get interesting – okay maybe that’s subjective – but I promise it’ll be worth learning about these boring details once we get close to answering our main question later on.
  3. Sweeteners/Flavorings

The inactive ingredients include binding agents such as pectin; emulsifiers such as lecithin; lubricants like magnesium stearate; coating/film forming agents such as carnauba wax, beeswax etc.; preservatives/stabilizers like sodium benzoate among others.

Sometimes they also contain sugar alcohols like Xylitol or sorbitol which are usually used as alternatives to sugar. This is because regular sugar has a high glycemic index, meaning it spikes blood glucose levels upon ingestion.

Can Cough Drops Cause Blood Pressure Spike?

Finally, here’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! The answer: It depends!

It’s highly unlikely that normal consumption of cough drops will cause your blood pressure to go up. However, if you have a pre-existing condition such as hypertension – in layman’s terms high blood pressure – or are on medication that elevates blood pressure readings then there just might be cause for concern.

If cough drop intake exceeds an amount safe (which we will explain shortly), especially those containing any type of stimulant-like ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or caffeine; there could be potential adverse side effects like elevated heart rate and yes raised blood pressure readings.

A study conducted by Stephen et al found out that after taking over-the-counter cold medications like Vick’s NyQuil Cold & Flu Relief LiquiCaps and Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Effervescent tablets can significantly increase both systolic and diastolic pressures in sensitized individuals.

There is also limited data suggesting some people with certain medical conditions may experience higher risks when taking these types of medications even at regular therapeutic dosages levels due to their specific health concerns which should best advise obtained from qualified medical professionals.

Safe Limits of Inactive Ingredients

Before consuming any product careful examination including reading labels must come first hand. Specifically scrutinizing the inactive ingredients list indicated on packaged products attentively assists users being aware what substance/ component they’re likely introduced into their bodies along dose limits expected not exceed supposed tailored prescription dosage instructions provided respectively either by manufacturer/ nutritionist/ physician amid others.

For example too much menthol can bring unwanted breathing complications same way having excessive sorbitol means sampling tons of weight management problems obesity cases included mainly propagating chances of realizing malnourishment, lack of appetite in addition to severe diarrhea hence getting prescribed doses is highly recommended.

The Final Verdict

So there you have it folks – the answer. Cough drops are not likely to cause a spike in blood pressure when taken at recommended dosages regularly. However, some ingredients found inactive ingredient section may trigger effects including albeit not limited to raised blood pressure either due allergic especially among sensitized/ pre existing medical history with hypertension as clinicians stipulate topmost then again upon exceeding safe exposure limits intended intake, abnormal respiratory issues become possible side-effects just weigh health considerations carefully before opting for medicated lozenges thereof consult needed professionals where applicable or signs other adverse symptoms surface seek urgent medical attention immidiately- better safe than sorry.

As always: read instructions/sticker labels carefully taking account all personal differences consulting healthcare licensed practitioners when necessary; once cleared concerning probability negative drug-drug interactions and potential risks discussed above can confidently quench your winter season’s colds (unpleasant) inevitable accompanying coughs using without any unsettling hidden fears brought about by speculation around medicine that was designed to make you feel better instead of worse!

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