Allergy Medications That Will Not Raise Blood Pressure

Hypertension patients don’t have to forgo remedies for hay fever or perennial allergy symptoms in order to maintain a safe blood pressure. Bouts of allergic rhinitis compromise respiratory health and comfort. Treating allergy symptoms removes this physical stress that may add to hypertensive conditions. Patients can select from prescription and over-the-counter drugs that won’t interfere with their heart medications or overwhelm their dosing schedules. While some allergy medicines pose risks to people with heart problems, several classes of drugs offer relief and will not raise blood pressure.

Cromolyn Sodium

Patients may use cromolyn sodium’s gentle, preventive action to ease periodic hay fever discomfort or to reduce symptoms of year-round allergies to dust mites, pets and other indoor irritants. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, seasonal patients need to begin dosing prior to tree, grass or weed pollen seasons in order for this allergy medicine to prevent runny nose and stuffy nose symptoms. Although it may take 4 to 6 applications of this nasal spray per day to control symptoms, blood pressure patients may find its safety profile an adequate exchange for a little inconvenience. Cromolyn sodium carries no serious side effects or drug interactions, even when taken every day.

Nasal Corticosteroid

Hypertensive patients who are wary of oral corticosteroid side effects can take nasal steroid allergy medicines without health repercussions. Nasal corticosteroids, the Mayo Clinic explains, employ small amounts of glucocorticoids that neither raise blood pressure nor adversely affect blood sugar levels 1. Nasal corticosteroids treat all hay fever type symptoms of itchiness, sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion but must be taken once or twice every day. This makes prescription-only formulas such as fluticasone, flunisolide and budesonide nasal sprays most appropriate for year-round allergy symptoms.

Antihistamines

While antihistamines may comprise the most popular class of allergy medicines, they also hold hidden dangers for heart patients who choose the wrong types. The Mayo Clinic lists prescription and nonprescription formulas such as desloratadine, fexofenadine and cetirizine that are both effective and safe for heart patients 1. Many offer once-a-day dosing, and some do not induce drowsiness side effects. These medications, however, treat hay fever allergy symptoms excluding congestion. Hypertensive patients must avoid manufacturers’ combination drugs that add a decongestant element to regular formulas of antihistamine pills, sprays or liquids. These problematic drugs may contain phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine or oxymetazoline and may be labeled with a “D” after the brand name. Patients should take most antihistamines for short-term, seasonal symptoms, perhaps switching to a safe alternative for congestion relief.