Does Zyrtec Raise Blood Pressure
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Is Diphenhydramine Safe To Take If I’m Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
Diphenhydramine has not been adequately evaluated in pregnant women. It should be used only if the benefit outweighs the potential but unknown risks.
NURSING MOTHERS: Diphenhydramine is secreted in breast milk. Because of the risk of stimulation and seizures in infants, especially newborns and premature infants, antihistamines should not be used by nursing mothers.
Nonprescription Products To Avoid With Hypertension
W. Steven Pray, PhD, DPhBernhardt Professor, Nonprescription Products and DevicesCollege of Pharmacy, Southwestern Oklahoma State UniversityWeatherford, Oklahoma
US Pharm.
Researchers have charted an alarming rise in the number of persons with hypertension. For example, the number rose by 30% from 1994 to 2000.1 The CDC estimated the percentage of noninstitutionalized adults aged 20 years and above with hypertension to be 32%.2 The number of ambulatory visits that have hypertension as the primary diagnosis is estimated to be 40.5 million.2 In 2006, there were 23,855 deaths due to hypertension, or 8 per 100,000 population.2;
The National Institutes of Health has provided this hypertension advice for the lay public: Most of the time, high blood pressure can be controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes.3 Of course, this optimistic statement assumes that patients do not unknowingly take any action that would raise their blood pressure. For instance, some nonprescription medications may cause dangerous rises in blood pressure, and the labels reflect that danger by recommending that patients speak to a physician before using them. However, some patients ignore the labels completely. Others may choose to ask the pharmacist about the warning. For this reason, it is important for pharmacists to be aware of which products carry the warning and which alternative products may be recommended.;
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How Long Should I Wait To Drink Alcohol After Taking Zyrtec
Zyrtec stays in the blood for approximately 24 hours. Drinking, especially in excess, during the 24 hours can cause any of the aforementioned side effects. It’s a bad idea to drink alcohol even if it feels as though Zyrtec isn’t working. The effects of the drug may be delayed because of several individualized factors.;
Continually consuming Zyrtec and alcohol, even in small doses, can also lead to the aforementioned long-term effects. Other allergy medications may produce varied short-term side effects, but the long-term damages remain the same.;
As a rule, mixing Zyrtec or other prescription drugs with alcohol can lead to health complications. Complications and side effects may be worse in older adults.
What Allergy Medicines Can I Safely Take If I Have Heart Disease Or High Blood Pressure
Oklahoma Heart Institute Director of Interventional Laboratories, Dr. Wayne Leimbach, shares insights on allergies, heart disease and high blood pressure on our blog today.
Springtime brings not only beautiful weather and beautiful flowers, but it also brings high pollen counts and suffering to people with allergies.; Many people often ask what allergy medicines can I safely take if I have heart disease or high blood pressure.; Many allergy medications include decongestants that can raise blood pressure, create palpitations and interfere with some other heart medications.
Medications that often can be safely used by people with significant allergies include nasal corticosteroids.; In addition, antihistamines are very effective.; The antihistamines include fexofenadine , cetirizine , loratadine and diphenhydramine .
Often manufactures will include a decongestant with the antihistamines in order to provide additional control of the runny nose often seen with allergies.; Manufacturers will often indicate which of the antihistamines also contain a decongestant by adding the letter D to the name of the medicine.; These decongestants can be phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine or oxymetazoline.
Therefore, advertised medicines such as Allegra, Zyrtec, or Claritin should be safe for most patients with heart disease and allergies; however, Allegra-D, Zyrtec-D, Claritin-D could cause problems for patients with allergies and heart disease.;
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Drugs With Dietary Supplements
About half of American adults use dietary supplements. It is recommended that for healthy individuals, all the nutrients you need should come from the foods you eat. Here are some interactions to be aware of:
St. Johns Wort : This herb is an inducer of liver enzymes, which means it can reduce the concentration of medications in the blood. St. Johns Wort can reduce the blood level of medications such as Lanoxin, the cholesterol-lowering drugs Mevacor and Altocor , and the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra .
Vitamin E: Taking Vitamin E with a blood-thinning medication such as Coumadin can increase anti-clotting activity and could increase your risk of bleeding.
Ginseng: This herb can also interfere with the bleeding effects of Coumadin. In addition, ginseng can enhance the bleeding effects of heparin, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen and ketoprofen. Combining ginseng with MAO inhibitors such as Nardil or Parnate may cause headaches, trouble sleeping, nervousness and hyperactivity.
Possible Interactions With: St John’s Wort
St. John’s wort interacts with a large number of medications. In most cases, St. John’s wort decreases the effectiveness of the medication; in other cases, however, St. John’s wort may increase the effects of a medication.
If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use St. John’s wort without first talking to your doctor:
Antidepressants — St. John’s wort may interact with medications used to treat depression or other mood disorders, including tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors . Taking St. John’s wort with these medications tends to increase side effects, and could potentially lead to a dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome. Do not take St. John’s wort with other antidepressants, including:
- SSRIs: Citalopram , escitalopram , fluvoxamine , paroxetine , fluoxetine , sertraline
- Tricyclics: Amitriptyline , nortriptyline , imipramine
- MAOIs: Phenelzine, , tranylcypromine
- Nefazodone
Allergy drugs — St. John’s wort may reduce levels of these drugs in the body, making them less effective:
- Loratadine
- Cetirizine
- Fexofenadine
Dextromethorphan — When taken at the same time as dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, St. John’s wort can increase the risk of side effects, including serotonin syndrome.
Digoxin — St. John’s wort may decrease levels of the medication and reduce its effectiveness. Do not take St. John’s wort if you take digoxin.
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Drugs With Other Drugs
Drug-drug interactions occur when two or more drugs react with each other, causing an unexpected side effect. For example, mixing a drug you take to help you sleep and a drug you take for allergies can slow your reactions and make driving a car or operating machinery dangerous.
Antihistamines: Over-the-counter antihistamines temporarily relieve a runny nose, or reduce sneezing, itching of the nose or throat, and itchy watery eyes. If you are taking sedatives, tranquilizers or a prescription drug for high blood pressure or depression, you should check with a doctor or pharmacist before you start using antihistamines. Antihistamines taken along with blood pressure medication can cause your blood pressure to increase and may also speed up your heart rate.
Bronchodilators: These drugs temporarily relieve shortness of breath, tightness of chest and wheezing due to bronchial asthma. Ask a doctor before use if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease or diabetes.
Cordarone : Patients taking Zocor in doses higher than 20 mg while also taking Cordarone run the risk of developing a rare condition of muscle injury called rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney failure or death. Cordarone also can inhibit or reduce the effect of the blood thinner Coumadin , so if youre using Cordarone, you may need to reduce the amount of Coumadin youre taking.
Side Effects Of Mixing Zyrtec With Alcohol
The side effects of drinking alcohol with Zyrtec can be life-threatening. Here are the most common:
- Extreme drowsiness
- Seizures;
- Internal bleeding
As a second-generation antihistamine, Zyrtec is considered safer overall than its first-generation counterparts. However, this distinction is primarily based on the massive sedating effects of first-generation antihistamines.;
Other side effects of Zyrtec, specifically in terms of mental health, are still being studied. Alcohol, however, is known to destabilize mood, cause depression, and increase negative thought.;
Additionally, a first-generation antihistamine combined with alcoholic beverages can cause hypoxia due to the extreme depression of the central nervous system . Hypoxia is the inability to get enough oxygen to your blood, tissues, and/or cells. In severe cases, it can result in organ damage.
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What’s The Problem With Claritin D
Claritin D is a good example of how medications can interfere with the body.; If you have high blood pressure, anything that will stimulate the heart to work harder will increase the amount of pressure in your blood, further pushing your heart.
This could do further damage to the arteries. Also, some medications have bad interactions with each other.
Although you should check with your doctor about using Claritin and high blood pressure medications together, many people will be able to do so.
Get Feedback From An Expert Before Beginning An Allergy Medication Regimen
Developing a relationship with a pharmacist you trust is an excellent idea, as they can answer many general questions about the medications and conditions. In order to get a detailed picture of your heart condition and OTC allergy medications,schedule a visit with Dr. Dilip Mathewat Heart Rhythm Consultants, P.A.
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Benadryl And High Blood Pressure Medications
The relationship between Benadryl and high blood pressure also emanates from the potential of Benadryl to interact with blood pressure medications. For example, Benadryl may interact with Betablockers which are drugs used to slow down the heart rate in order to reduce high blood pressure.
Betablockers are also used to treat certain heart conditions. Diphenhydramine or Benadryl, as it is better known, may affect how well other medications work or how well Benadryl itself works.
What About Herbal And Dietary Supplements
You can read on the Internet or hear advice in health food stores from nonphysicians about dozens of unproven herbs, vitamins, minerals, homeopathic products, and other dietary supplements that promise to help you control your blood pressure. Taking advice from such sources is fraught with danger, as they are not medically licensed to make such recommendations, and there is no OTC product that is proven safe or effective in lowering high blood pressure. Rather, you should seek care from a legitimate health care professional .;
Remember, if you have questions, Consult Your Pharmacist.;
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What Are The Causes Of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure affects many different ages and body types, as well as both genders. It occurs in all races, although it is more common in African Americans. In some patients, the hypertension has no known or identifiable cause; this is called essential hypertension. When caused by a specific habit, condition, or medication, it is known as secondary hypertension. Some of the factors that affect blood pressure are the amount of water and salt you take in and retain daily; the medical health of your kidneys, nervous system, and blood vessels; and the levels of certain hormones. Hypertension is more common in those who smoke, the obese, and those with diabetes mellitus. Other causes of secondary hypertension include anxiety, stress, cocaine use, alcohol abuse, and use of certain nonprescription products such as oral nasal decongestants, nasal sprays or inhalers, combination products for cough, cold, and/or flu, nicotine cessation products, and asthma medications.;
Read the labels of all nonprescription products for warnings about high blood pressure and Consult Your Pharmacist if you have any questions.;
Are Antihistamines Safe For Dogs
Diphenhydramine is a common medication used to treat allergies, hives, food allergies, anxiety and other conditions in dogs. However, you should consult your veterinarian about the use of diphenhydramine in your pet. The dosage in dogs is based on their weight plus your veterinarian will want to examine your dog to be sure an antihistamine is the correct drug for the correct diagnosis. If an antihistamine is needed, your veterinarian will want to prescribe a brand that is specific to animals and at a dosage correct for your pet.
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Allergy Medications And Hypertension
Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is a common condition in the United States. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology reports that 8 to 10 percent of Americans in all age groups have hay fever. Moreover, the incidence of allergies appears to be increasing. If you have hay fever and you are like most allergy sufferers, you’ve probably used over-the-counter or prescription medications to relieve your symptoms. However, if you also have high blood pressure, you may want to avoid taking some allergy medications.
About Heart Rhythm Consultants Pa
The experienced electrophysiologists of Heart Rhythm Consultants, P.A. have been serving West Florida including Sarasota, Venice, Tampa, Port Charlotte, and Sun City Center for over 15 years. Our specialty cardiologists, or EP doctors, help patients manage their abnormal heart rhythm conditions, whether they suffer from arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation , or other irregular heartbeats. Dr. Dilip J. Mathew, Dr. Antonio Moretta, and Dr. Rajesh Malik perform arrhythmia treatments like cardiac ablation, cryoablation, and implanting pacemakers or defibrillators. Dr. Mathew has performed nearly 5,000 complex cardiac ablations. View our office locations in Sarasota and Venice, Florida.
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Does Dayquil Help With Allergies
Dayquil can be used to relieve symptoms temporarily caused by allergies. It will help relieve watery and itchy eyes, throat, runny nose, and sneezing. As usual, we do recommend that you consult a professional before using it as a treatment for your allergies.
Over the counter and even some prescription medicines are solutions that we get used to but are not long-term solutions. We want you to live your life to the fullest, without allergies or sinus issues. So, if you are ready to get rid of your allergy symptoms, schedule your appointment with one of our allergy specialists today!
What Can Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure Do
If the blood pressure rises sufficiently, it can lead to stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and kidney failure. It is vital to keep your blood pressure down, to measure it regularly to monitor your success in doing so, and to make an appointment with your physician to diagnose and monitor elevated blood pressure.;
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Preventing High Blood Pressure
If you are already taking blood pressure medications when you began taking prednisone, your doctor may adjust these medications. They may just recommend monitoring your blood pressure to assess how your body is responding to prednisone.
If you develop high blood pressure while taking prednisone, your doctor may recommend starting blood pressure medication to help.
Lifestyle changes can be implemented to help prevent high blood pressure. Eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats can help with maintaining a health weight.
It also helps to limit the total amount of salt in your diet. It is recommended to limit your salt intake 2 grams or 2000 milligrams sodium per day. This includes the sodium that naturally occurs in food, salt added during processing, and any salt you add to your foods.
Try these tips to help reduce your overall salt intake:
- Keep saltshakers off of the table and avoid adding salt after you’re done cooking.
- Cook with other herbs and spices that don’t have salt added to them, such as black pepper, oregano, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and any spice blend without sodium.
- When purchasing canned or processed foods, choose those labeled low sodium or no salt added.
- Read the label to see how many milligrams of sodium it has per serving and the serving size.
- Rinse can foods to help remove a lot of the extra salt that is added during processes to help preserve the food.
Balancing Food And Medication
Winston H. Gandy Jr., a cardiologist with Piedmont Heart Institute in Atlanta and an American Heart Association volunteer, said these potential dangers dont mean patients get a free pass when it comes to eating their veggies.
It comes down to maintaining a careful balance when using anti-coagulants such as Coumadin .
Coumadin is adjusted to your diet, Dr. Gandy said. If youre eating salad three times a week, then you need to continue that to maintain consistency and balance.
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Do Allergy Medications And Diabetes Medications Interact
I heard people with diabetes need to be careful with allergy medications. Are there allergy medications I cannot take with my diabetes medication? Zyrtec® , Claritin® , Allegra® , and Benadryl® are all allergy medications that should not affect your blood sugar when used by themselves. However, these antihistamines are often paired with pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are both decongestants. These two medications can cause an increase in blood sugar when taken with diabetes medication and should be avoided, if possible, in people with diabetes. Be sure to read labels on cold and allergy medications, and be careful when the letter D is added to a medication name, such as Zyrtec-D or Claritin-D. This means that it contains pseudoephedrine.Continue reading >>