Pseudoephedrine can be taken by most adults and children over the age of 12 years old. You can sometimes give pseudoephedrine to children over 6 years with a stuffy nose, depending on their age and symptoms. Ask a pharmacist for advice.

Who should not take decongestants?

Who should not take ADULT NASAL DECONGESTANT?

• overactive thyroid gland.
• diabetes.
• closed angle glaucoma.
• high blood pressure.
• significant uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• severe disease of the arteries of the heart.
• enlarged prostate.
• an inability to completely empty the bladder.

Are oral decongestants safe?

Patients can avoid other long-term effects by following dosing instructions on the label of OTC products. However, long-term use of oral decongestants containing pseudoephedrine could lead to seizures, hallucinations, pallor, headache, or insomnia.

Who should not take pseudoephedrine?

high blood pressure. significant uncontrolled high blood pressure. severe disease of the arteries of the heart. enlarged prostate.

Who should avoid oral pseudoephedrine or ephedrine?

Near the end of the study, Health Canada issued a warning on their website stating that those who are under the age of 12, or who have heart disease and may suffer from strokes, should avoid taking pseudoephedrine and ephedrine.

I have high blood pressure. Why should I avoid decongestants? What can I take instead?

15 related questions found

Does pseudoephedrine raise blood pressure?

Pseudoephedrine constricts blood vessels in the nose and sinuses. This shrinks swelling and drains fluids, letting you breathe easier again. Unfortunately, the drug doesn't affect only the head — it tightens blood vessels throughout the body. One pseudoephedrine side effect is a possible increase in blood pressure.

What is a serious adverse effect of decongestants?

Drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, upset stomach, nausea, nervousness, or dry mouth/nose/throat may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Is pseudoephedrine safe for elderly?

Pseudoephedrine is one of the most commonly used OTC drugs and is used for its decongestant properties. Even when taken at indicated dosages, there are serious risks when older adults take this medication, such as hypertension, vasospasm, arrhythmia, and stroke.

Should you take a decongestant if you have Covid?

You may take an expectorant/cough suppressant combination as needed for cough and congestion. Take an antihistamine/decongestant combination for your allergy symptoms and congestion. If you have uncontrolled blood pressure, then you should avoid the decongestant component.

Which decongestants are safe for high blood pressure?

For those with high blood pressure, phenylephrine is an alternative to pseudoephedrine. They are in the same drug class known as nasal decongestants, which help relieve sinus congestion and pressure. You can buy products containing phenylephrine right off the shelf at the pharmacy.

Can patients with hypertension use oral decongestants?

Individuals with hypertension should be aware that the use of decongestants may increase BP or hinder or interfere with the effectiveness of some antihypertensives, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). The AHA also recommends that those with hypertension avoid medications that are high in sodium.

Is nasal decongestant bad for you?

The longer you use a spray decongestant, the more likely you are to get the rebound phenomenon. It can lead to chronic sinusitis and other serious, long-term problems. Give your doctor a call if you're having any of these issues: It's all in your nose.

What is the best sinus decongestant?

Our picks

• Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion Ultratabs.
• Best OTC sinus decongestant for a headache. Advil Sinus Congestion and Pain.
• Afrin No-Drip Severe Congestion.
• Little Remedies Decongestant Nose Drops.
• Sudafed PE Day and Night Sinus Pressure Tablets.
• Cabinet Nasal Decongestant Tablets.
• Mucinex Nightshift Cold and Flu Liquid.

What diseases conditions interact with nasal decongestants?

People who have conditions such as diabetes, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), ischemic heart problems, thyroid disorders, glaucoma and seizures generally should avoid using nasal decongestants.

What drugs interact with decongestants?

Some products that may interact with this drug are: antihistamines applied to the skin (such as diphenhydramine cream, ointment, spray), blood pressure medications (especially guanethidine, methyldopa, beta blockers such as atenolol, or calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine).

Can nasal decongestant raise blood pressure?

Among over-the-counter cold remedies, decongestants cause the most concern for people who have high blood pressure. Decongestants relieve nasal stuffiness by narrowing blood vessels and reducing swelling in the nose. This narrowing can affect other blood vessels as well, which can increase blood pressure.

Can I take Sudafed if I have Covid?

What about over-the-counter treatments like Nyquil, Theraflu, and Sudafed? You can use over-the-counter (OTC) medications to help relieve common symptoms of the flu or COVID-19. But these medications are not a treatment for the flu or COVID-19, meaning they do not work to kill the viruses that cause these infections.

Can I take Benadryl if I have Covid?

No. BENADRYL^®products are only indicated to treat allergy symptoms, they are not symptomatic treatments for infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

How do you decongest naturally?

7 Natural Remedies for Congestion Relief

1. Consider Some Alternatives to the Pharmacy. Getty Images. ...
2. Add Moisture to the Air With a Humidifier or Vaporizer. Thinkstock. ...
3. Hydrate and Soothe With Warm Soups and Teas. Getty Images. ...
4. Apply Hot or Cold Packs to Congested Sinuses. Thinkstock. ...
5. Revamp Your Nighttime Routine to Open Sinuses.

What decongestant is safe for elderly?

Minimal adverse effects and no drug interactions make oxymetazoline a good choice for the short-term treatment of nasal congestion symptoms associated with the common cold in older adults.

Is Tylenol PM safe for elderly?

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, constipation, or trouble urinating. Dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion can increase the risk of falling.

Can elderly take decongestants?

Great caution should be used in treatment with first generation antihistamines and decongestants. Medications generally well tolerated by the elderly are second generation antihistamines, intra-nasal anti-inflammatory agents, leukotriene modifiers and iprapropium nasal spray.

Are decongestants safe?

Most people can safely use decongestants, but they aren't for everyone. Do not take decongestants if you have any of the following: Circulation problems. Diabetes.

How long can I take oral decongestants?

Is it safe to take for a long time? Decongestants should only be used for a short time, usually less than 10 days. If you take them for longer, you're more likely to get side effects. Only take pseudoephedrine for longer than 10 days if a doctor has said it's OK.

What are the indications for the use of decongestants?

Most commonly, decongestants are used for a cold, sinusitis, hay fever, allergies and rhinitis. These medicines are available as nose drops or nasal sprays and also as tablets, capsules and syrup. Decongestant nose drops or nasal sprays should not be used for more than seven days at a time.