People suffering from high blood pressure are being advised to steer clear of certain medications if they’re battling a common cold or flu. This warning comes as the NHS cautions against the use of decongestants for those with specific health conditions, including diabetes.
These medicines, also used for hay fever and more, work by reducing the swelling in your nose’s blood vessels, thereby opening up the airways. Most decongestants can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies without needing a prescription.
However, it’s crucial that individuals understand who can and cannot safely use them. The NHS has issued a stark warning that certain groups should not use decongestants without first seeking advice from a pharmacist or GP.
Who can’t take decongestants?
-
people with high blood pressure
- people with diabetes
- people taking other medicines
- people with an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
- people with liver, kidney, heart or circulation problems
- men with an enlarged prostate
- people with increased pressure in the eye glaucoma
They also caution it should “not be given to children under 6 years of age.” If you are giving it to a child aged 6 to 11, they should “take them for no longer than 5 days” and you should ask a pharmacist for advice. If you’re pregnant “you should only use them if told to by a healthcare professional.
“Decongestants that come as tablets, liquids or powders that you swallow are not recommended if you’re breastfeeding”, they warn. The NHS adds that “the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine will say who should not use it and who should get advice before using it.”
What types of decongestants are there?
Decongestants in the form of tablets, liquids, or powders that are swallowed are not recommended for breastfeeding individuals, warns the NHS. They further add that the patient information leaflet accompanying the medicine will provide details on who should avoid its use and who should seek advice before using it, reports the Mirror.
Some products may only contain decongestant medicine. However, “all-in-one” remedies that include decongestants, painkillers or antihistamines are commonplace, the health service notes.
Recently, Dr Xand van Tulleken, who appears on BBC Morning Live, advised people to reconsider purchasing over-the-counter cold and flu medication. In his appearance on the show on November 19, he targeted nasal sprays, indicating that navigating chemist options is tricky.
Dr Xand elaborated on the decongestant sprays – often the first choice for many – noting how they “decrease the blood flow in your nose and they’re very effective, but they do have side-effects and you can get a major rebound congestion.” He cautioned: “So when you stop using them the blood vessels in your nose have gotten used to them so they wear off quite quickly and then you get more congestion afterwards.
“And it’s actually a very well described phenomenon and it means you can get congestion going on and on and on for ages.” Therefore, rather than recommending such sprays, he suggests an alternative approach.
He said: “So personally I would steer clear of them. What can work is washing your nose out, get some of that mucus out which will restore your taste and smell and it will help you breathe a bit more easily.”