Does Claritin Cause Side Effects
Claritin is a long-acting, non-sedating antihistamine that is used to treat symptoms of non-nasal and nasal seasonal allergic rhinitis and hives.;
Histamine is a chemical that causes many of the signs and symptoms of an allergy. Histamine is released from histamine-storing cells and attaches to other cells that have receptors for histamine on their surfaces. Histamine stimulates the cells to release chemicals that produce effects that we associate with allergy, including welts, itching, and tissue swelling.;
Loratadine blocks one type of histamine receptor and thus prevents activation of cells with H1 receptors by histamine. Unlike some antihistamines, loratadine does not enter the brain from the blood and, therefore, does not cause drowsiness when taken at recommended doses.;
Common side effects of Claritin include
Drug interactions of Claritin include erythromycin, cimetidine, and ketoconazole, because they increase the blood concentration of Claritin by inhibiting the elimination of Claritin. This may result in increased adverse events from Claritin.;
St. John’s wort, carbamazepine, and rifampin reduce blood levels of Claritin.;
Claritin is not expected to harm a fetus. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.;
Claritin is secreted in breast milk at levels similar to blood levels. Nursing mothers should decide whether to stop breastfeeding or discontinue Claritin.
Claritin And High Blood Pressure Explained
Should you be taking Claritin and high blood pressure is present? Claritin is a 24 hour antihistamine allergen relief that offers the human body relief of symptoms triggered from the exposure to pollen, mold, dust, pets and other allergens. It offers temporary clearing of runny nose, sneezing, itchy watery eyes and nose. But if you have HBP, there are a few important things to know. ;
What Is This Medicine
LORATADINE; PSEUDOEPHEDRINE is a combination of an antihistamine and a decongestant. This medicine is used to treat the symptoms of allergies. It reduces congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and itching.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME: Alavert-D, Allergy and Sinus Relief, Allergy Relief & Nasal Decongestant 24 Hour, Claritin-D, Claritin-D 12 Hour, Claritin-D 24 Hour, Clear-Atadine D
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Healthy And Unhealthy Blood Pressure Ranges1
To learn more about blood pressure levels, see the chart below.Note: A diagnosis of high blood pressure must be confirmed with a medical professional. A doctor should also evaluate any usually low blood pressure readings. Further, nothing here is meant as medical advice. If you have any concerns about your blood pressure, you should speak to your doctor.
Reference: Journal of American Cardiology
Do Allergy Medicines Interact With My Blood Pressure Medication
Most antihistamines are generally safe to take with your blood pressure medication. However, keep in mind the following drug interactions if you are taking medication for your blood pressure:
- fexofenadine;: Carvedilol may increase the effects of fexofenadine. Use fexofenadine cautiously if you are taking carvedilol.
- cetirizine; and levocetirizine : You may experience increased drowsiness if you take cetirizine or levocetirizine in combination with methyldopa .
- diphenhydramine;: Any product containing diphenhydramine may counteract the effects of many of your blood pressure medications. Be sure to talk with your pharmacist before taking any diphenhydramine products.
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Who Should Not Take This Medication
Do not take cetirizine – pseudoephedrine if you:
- are allergic to cetirizine, pseudoephedrine or any ingredients of the medication
- are allergic to hydroxyzine, another, similar antihistamine
- are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitors within 14 days or intend to take such a medication in the next 14 days
- have an overactive thyroid gland
- have narrow-angle glaucoma
- have severe high blood pressure
- have severe coronary artery disease
Do not give this medication to children less than 12 years of age.
Which Allergy Medications Affect My Blood Pressure
You should;avoid decongestants if you have high blood pressure;or heart problems. Decongestants constrict blood vessels to open nasal passages and facilitate breathing. Because decongestants constrict blood vessels throughout your body, they can worsen hypertension. Additionally, decongestants stimulate the release of norepinephrine in your body, which raises your blood pressure and your heart rate.
When choosing an allergy medication, be aware of combination products that contain decongestants. Products that contain a decongestant typically have the words;sinus,;cold,;congestion, or;;on the label. They may also be labeled with the letters;D, PD,;or;PE;after the name.
Examples of allergy medicines that contain decongestants include the following:
- Allegra D
- Benadryl D
- Clarinex D
- Claritin D
- Sudafed Sinus and Allergy
- Zyrtec D
The list above is a small sample of allergy medications that contain decongestants. Always check with your pharmacist before choosing allergy medications.
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Allergy Medicines And Hypertension
Allergy season is in full swing in many parts of the country. For some, that means battling symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion, runny nose, itching, and watery eyes. If you are among the;over 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies each year, you may be headed to a pharmacy near you for relief of your allergy symptoms. Choosing allergy medication that is right for you may be tricky if you have hypertension . Read on to learn how some allergy medicines may affect your blood pressure and your blood pressure medication.
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.
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The Science Behind Pseudoephedrine
When you have a cold or an allergy attack, your white blood cells gather in your nasal passages and sinuses. This causes nasal membranes to swell and increases mucus production. Pseudoephedrine constricts these blood vessels, which decreases drainage.
But those same constricted vessels might also increase your blood pressure and heart rate.
Pharmacist Kayla Ryan explains the mechanism of pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is chemically similar to adrenaline, so the body recognizes it as adrenaline, causing the blood pressure and heart rate to increase.
She refers to one of the last major studies of the effects of pseudoephedrine on blood pressure, which took place in 2005. This study found that pseudoephedrine increased systolic blood pressure by one point on average, while heart rate increased by an average of three beats per minute.
Ryan adds that the immediate-release products had a greater impact on heart rate and blood pressure than their 12 hour or 24 hour extended-release counterparts, which showed a smaller increase in blood pressure.
In 2005, the FDA passed the Combat Methamphetamine Act, which requires pharmacies to sell all medications containing pseudoephedrine behind the counter. At your local drugstore, youll find cards in the cold and flu aisle with information for these medications. You can take the card to the pharmacist, who is required to scan your drivers license before purchase.
Claritin And High Blood Pressure
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Our free DiscountRx savings card can help you and your family save money on your prescriptions. This card is accepted at all major chain pharmacies, nationwide. Enter your name and email address to receive your free savings card.
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Tips For Making The Most Of Your Allergy Medications
As allergy season approaches, you should start taking your medication even before your symptoms begin. Ask your doctor for guidance if youre not exactly sure when to start. As with most medication, make sure to drink plenty of water.
Paying attention to pollen can go a long way too. Try avoiding outdoor activity when the pollen count is high usually in the morning. Removing your shoes before coming indoors can lower the amount of pollen you track in.
Allergy Medication And High Blood Pressure Often Go Hand In Hand
Ah spring Its finally time to shed those bulky sweaters and swap our snow boots for tennis shoes. We wait all winter long to get outside and enjoy some sun and fresh air.
But with spring comes pollen. If you suffer from allergies, pollen definitely gets in the way of outdoor plans. If that werent bad enough, some of the medications we take to reduce allergy symptoms can also wreak havoc on our blood pressure. If you have blood pressure concerns and need to take allergy meds during allergy season, read on to learn more about the connection between high blood pressure and overthe-counter allergy medications.
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Time On Claritin Reditabs When People Have High Blood Pressure *:
- < 1 month: 63.64 %
* Approximation only. Some reports may have incomplete information.
Classification Of Blood Pressure 1
Blood pressure can be grouped into different categories: normal, elevated, stage 1, stage 2, and hypertensive crisis.
Normal
Blood pressure is normal when numbers are less than 120/80 mm Hg.
Elevated
Blood pressure is elevated when systolic blood pressure ranges from 120-129 mm Hg AND diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mm Hg. Non-medical therapy, such as heart-healthy diet and increased physical activity, is preferred at this stage.
Hypertension Stage 1
Stage 1 is when systolic blood pressure ranges from 130-139 mm Hg OR when diastolic blood pressure ranges from 80-89 mm Hg. At this stage, doctors may consider prescribing blood pressure-lowering medication in addition to lifestyle changes . The doctors decision to prescribe medication will depend on your risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease , such as heart attack or stroke.
Hypertension Stage 2
Stage 2 is when systolic blood pressure is greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg OR when diastolic blood pressure is greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg. At this stage, doctors are likely to prescribe a combination of blood pressure-lowering medications with lifestyle changes.
Hypertensive Crisis
If your blood pressure is more than 180/120 mm Hg, and you are NOT experiencing any other symptoms, it is classified as an hypertensive urgency, and you should immediately seek medical assistance.
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Managing A Cold With Hypertension
If you cant take a decongestant because of high blood pressure, there are other ways to reduce your cold or allergy symptoms:
-
Take Coricidin HBP, which is free of decongestants
-
Drink plenty of fluids including water, juice, tea and soup to prevent dehydration and clear mucus from your lungs;
-
Take a pain reliever such as Tylenol or Motrin for fever, sore throat, body aches and headache
-
Flush your sinuses with a saline spray to relieve nasal congestion
-
Soothe a sore or scratchy throat with lozenges
-
Use a vaporizer or humidifier if necessary to boost humidity
-
Get plenty of rest
-
Return to your doctor after five to seven days to make sure;youre on the road to recovery
What Is High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is reported using two figures, the top number and the bottom number . A normal blood pressure is considered to be 120/80 . Readings of 120 to 139 or 80 to 89 are referred to as prehypertension. If your systolic blood pressure is consistently above 140 or your diastolic pressure is consistently above 90, you are considered to have hypertension .;
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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.;
More Meds That Can Raise Blood Pressure
Besides pseudoephedrine, cold and allergy sufferers with hypertension should be wary of:
- Afrin nasal spray
- Multi-symptom cold products with NSAIDs
If you take prescription medications that increase your blood pressure, such as Adderall or albuterol inhalers, the oxymetazoline in Afrin can also increase your blood pressure through a combined effect.
NSAIDs cause the body to retain fluid and may affect kidney function, which may increase blood pressure.
Fortunately, if you have high blood pressure, there are safer alternatives when cold and allergy season come around.
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What Side Effects Are Possible With This Medication
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- dizziness
- increased blood pressure
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of a serious allergic reaction
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Warning Disclaimer Use For Publication
WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.
DISCLAIMER: All material available on eHealthMe.com is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. All information is observation-only. Our phase IV clinical studies alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk.
If you use this eHealthMe study on publication, please acknowledge it with a citation: study title, URL, accessed date.
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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!
Coricidin And Benadryl: Alternatives That Wont Affect Blood Pressure
If youre looking for a safe cold medicine for high blood pressure, consider Coricidin. Coricidin is an over-the-counter multi-symptom product marketed specifically for patients with high blood pressure. It comes in many varieties and contains different active ingredients that target coughs, colds, chest congestion and allergies.
For runny nose, drainage, or allergy symptoms, you may want to consider diphenhydramine, marketed under the brand name Benadryl. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that will help keep your sinuses clear. Drowsiness is a common side effect of this medication, so it is best taken at bedtime. For non-drowsy antihistamines, consider Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra.
Guaifenesin, the active ingredient in Mucinex, is an expectorant that helps you cough up mucus when congested. This medication is also safe to use if you have high blood pressure.
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How Claritin And High Blood Pressure Relates
If you have high blood pressure most over-the-counter medications are not recommended. These products tend to stimulate the heart, placing more stress on it, and reduce your;high blood pressure medication effectiveness.
Claritin is a bit different, though.; Because Claritin does not have a stimulatory effect on the heart, or on blood pressure, it is relatively safe to use by most people with high blood pressure.
However, the version of the medication called Claritin D does contain ingredients that can cause a spike in blood pressure. This product contains pseudoephedrine. It works as a decongestant.
Even those who have controlled blood pressure, due to medication use, should avoid taking Claritin D products.
Claritin is a non sedating antihistamine. Claritin D, on the other hand, is a stimulant and should be avoided.