What sinus medication for high blood pressure?

Living with high blood pressure can be a pain in the neck -sometimes literally- when you have to deal with sinus congestion. Nasal sprays, decongestants, and other medication may help relieve your symptoms but selecting the right one can be tricky when you have high blood pressure. Here are some considerations to keep in mind.

Why Is Selecting The Right Medication Important?

Before we dive into recommended medications for high blood pressure sufferers, let’s first understand why taking the right medication is important. Majority of over-the-counter sinus and cold medications contain active ingredients that cause vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels). When this happens, it restricts blood flow through those vessels which could lead to hypertension or elevated blood pressure levels (1).
For individuals already suffering from high BP, this effect can potentially worsen their condition and lead to complications like heart attack or stroke (2).

Over-The-Counter Options

There are loads of meds on store shelves for nasal congestion relief -almost too many options- but not all these drugs agree with hypertensive patients.
Here’s what people struggling with HBP should avoid and what they can take instead:

Decongestants

These work by narrowing down tiny veins found inside air passages in nose lining tissues. In order words, they reduce inflammation thereby opening up blockages responsible for stuffy noses.

Can Be A Big NOPE!

Decongestant drugs such as oxymetazoline (Afrin), phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) pseudoephedrine (Sudafed NP)…come highly recommended as means for getting swift relief from sinusitis symptoms. However,/ caution has been advised here/… If consumed regularly or past prescribed doses may increase blood pressure levels hence must be avoided by HBP patients or taken with the guidance of a medical professional (3).

The alternative

A natural alternative to decongestants is breathing in steam-infused air (or better yet, essential oils).
Steam easily penetrates clogged nasal pathways moist urizes and loosens mucus for easy passage by expelling it through blowing our noses.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are typically used to treat allergic reactions that induce congestion they do this by blocking histamine, a chemical responsible for allergic symptoms like wheezing and inflammation.

An absolute Nope!

While antihistamines may alleviate allergy-related sinusitis, taking them when hypertensive can lead to decreased BP control not forgetting drowsiness which increases risk of car accidents. These drugs usually have labeling instructions against use if you are prone high BP /experiencing an episode/.

Consider the options below instead

  • Fexofenadine(High- strength Allegra)
    Unlike other antihistamines alternatives found on shelves, users don’t experience sedation plus reports suggest its consumption doesn’t interfere with BP readings regardless of frequency or dosage (4)
  • Loratadin (Alavert & Claritin)
    These contain active ingredients that hardly cross over into your bloodstream thus having only minor effect on blood vessels. This makes them ideal for hypertensive people looking for relief

Prescription Drugs For Sinus Congestion Relief

If Home remedies aren’t working out option left would entail getting prescription meds from your local clinic/or family doctor

Add-on prescriptions

Instead of changing current treatment plans altogether parties on Beta-blockers Isosorbide/also under medication management can put up additional medications specifically aimed at improving decongestion among individuals struggling with hypertension caused as an added side-effect of daily medication intake eg Atenolol (5).

Nasal Sprays with Steroids

Doctors’ regularly prescribe steroid-based nasal sprays that are used to limit congestion and inflammation in areas surrounding the sinuses. These medications cross very little – if any – traces of active ingredient into bloodstream which means blood pressure levels aren’t affected due to topical administration (6)
Popular steroids prescribed by doctors include Flonase, Nasonex or Rhinocort

In Closing

The symptoms associated with sinusitis can be downright frustrating for anyone fighting hypertension along with it. Getting rid of pesky congestion is paramount when partaking on this frustrating experience hence choosing appropriate sinuses medication options-whether over-the-counter or prescription- is essential..
With some help from professionals individuals worried about drug-induced high BP pressures have several safe medication alternatives at their disposal worth considering especially where decongestant side effects pose a threat..

However, setting up measures to avoid reoccurrence through basic precautionary steps like hand washing maintaining a hygienic environment plus disinfecting tricky surfaces like doorknobs & light switches should also not go unnoticed!

References:

  1. Consumer Reports “The Dangers Of Decongestants And High Blood Pressure” (Retrieved 25th Sept 2020)
  2. International Journal Of Hypertension-Study Review Correspondence By Emily Ann Wagner /5 Aug 2019) 
  3. FDA.gov-“Use Caution When Giving Cough And Cold Products To Kids With Asthma”(Retrieved 26 thSept,2020)
  4. Science Direct.com “Allegra counteracts decrease in blood pressure following histamine H1 receptor agonist diphenhydramine” researched by Emi Itoh Ph.D.(2011-Feb140).
    5.Mayo Clinic.org -betablocker withdrawal/management option-( retrieved30thSept,2020).
    6.National Center For Biotechnology Information -National Library Of Medicine”New developments in corticosteroid therapy in allergic rhinitis”- (Reviewed by Professor of Allergy Guy Robinson)

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