Q: I have learned recently that certain hay fever medications that contain a decongestant can raise your blood pressure. I have had nasal congestion for years. A simple anti-histamine just doesn’t work like the remedies with a decongestant. I have also had some blood pressure problems over the years. So I am avoiding decongestants for the time being. I am a little surprised, however, that the Pharmaceutical industry has not developed a decongestant which does not affect one’s blood pressure. Do you have any news on the matter?
A: Depending upon what is causing your nasal congestion, you may be able to use a nose spray to control your symptoms. The spray stays in the nasal mucosa. The medicine is not absorbed by the body. As a result blood pressure is not affected. Ask your doctor if a nasal spray is right for you.
Further Reading:
High blood pressure and cold remedies: Which are safe?
Decongestants and High Blood Pressure
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I note your comment that nasal sprays do not affect blood pressure the way that oral medicines can, yet all of the over the counter nasal spray decongestants I’ve seen caution against their use if high blood pressure is a problem. Why the caution if these sprays do not affect blood pressure? Thanks.
Simply Saline is a fantastic saline nasal spray with no rebound effect. Also, Coriciden (not sure of the spelling) makes a version of their tablet decongestant for people with high BP. Might be called Coriciden HB or HP.
Respectfully, it seems to me that this answer is horribly overbroad. There are many nasal sprays that can affect your blood pressure. Nasal antihistamines and decongestants can increase blood pressure. Steroidal nasal sprays have their own set of health hazards, as well. There is much information to be found on the negative side effects and complications of medications by Googling which will confirm the potential negative impact on hypertension. I was shocked to find all of the negative side effects of anthistamines and nasal sprays after having sinusitis that was treated with some of these sprays. After experiencind some of them, including increased blood pressure, I researched and found this and many other potential problems. Suffice, that now I only use saline nasal sprays!
You might try nasal irrigation. I sometimes use a saline wash for my nose and sinuses, available at drug stores. It also washes out allergens like dust and pollen.