Is that Decongestant killing you?
It has been a rough couple of weeks, maybe months since the start of winter. it seems everywhere you turn, it is all coughs and colds and sniffles and if you have not come down with it then you must be very lucky. Now as winter comes to an end and you think the sniffles are all behind you, you remember that spring is on the way and hello Hayfever!
The one thing we can always count on are the cold and flu medication and nasal sprays to help clear up our sinuses so that we can breath better. It is always the assumption that if you can buy it over the counter, without a prescription then it should be safe, so we rarely read the patient leaflets that come with the remedies we take. So it would surprise you to know that while that medicine might be helping you to breathe better, the decongestant it contains, might be trying to kill you!
Most cold and flu remedies like Lemsip or Sudafed or own store brands, contain decongestants like ,pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, phenylephrine, naphazoline and oxymetazoline, that are a type of medicine that provide short-term relief to a stuffy or blocked nose, by narrowing blood vessels and reducing swelling inside the nose, which in turn leads to opening of your airways. This can also cause other blood vessels to narrow which in turn could raise your blood pressure which would be dangerous if you already suffer from high blood pressure.
So while decongestants can safely be taken, you should be cautious and most probably avoid them or seek medical advice before taking any medicines that contain them if you suffer from:
Diabetes
Kidney problems
Heart, Liver and circulatory problems
Enlarged prostate
High Blood Pressure
Hyperthyroidism
Glaucoma
All is not lost, as there are cold and flu remedies out there that do not contain decongestants and can be safely taken by those who suffer with high blood pressure, plus saline nasal sprays are also great at flushing your sinuses.
Stay safe and always read the label/patient leaflet before buying or taking any over the counter medication.
The Wandering Nurse. x
Useful Links:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/decongestants/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/dont-let-decongestants-squeeze-your-heart
