Decongestants like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, found in some cough medicines for high blood pressure, may negatively affect your blood pressure, increasing the risk of complications.
If you have high blood pressure, using cough suppressants may affect your blood pressure due to their active ingredients.
Decongestants in some cough suppressants, like pseudoephedrine, can raise blood pressure by constricting blood vessels.
Elevated blood pressure can increase the risk of cardiovascular complications such as stroke and heart attacks.
To safely manage a cough with high blood pressure, consider talking with a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Risks of cough suppressants if you have high blood pressure
Photography by Kathrin Ziegler/Getty Images
Although cough suppressants can relieve a persistent cough, using them when you have high blood pressure may pose some risks.
Decongestants, like pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, work by constricting blood vessels to reduce nasal congestion. But this constriction can also affect other blood vessels, increasing blood pressure.
Elevated blood pressure can be concerning if not appropriately managed, especially if you have preexisting high blood pressure. It can increase your risk of cardiovascular complications, like heart attacks or stroke.
If you have high blood pressure, consider choosing cough suppressants that don’t contain decongestants.
It’s also important to speak with a doctor or healthcare professional before taking any decongestant medication, as they can determine your condition and suggest appropriate cough treatments.
Cough medications you take safely if you have high blood pressure
Choosing a safe cough medication is important when you have high blood pressure. These may include certain cough suppressants and expectorants like:
Dextromethorphan: This is a nondecongestant cough suppressant that reduces the sensitivity of the cough reflex, helping to suppress coughing. It’s commonly available in over-the-counter (OTC) medications and prescription cough syrups. Some OTC examples include dextromethorphan guaifenesin (Robitussin DM) and dextromethorphan (Delsym).
Guaifenesin: This expectorant helps loosen and thin mucus in the airways, making coughing easier. It doesn’t directly affect blood pressure. Guaifenesin (Mucinex) is in various cough syrups and combination products.
Benzonatate: This nonnarcotic cough suppressant numbs the cough reflex in the lungs and throat to help relieve cough. It doesn’t have a direct effect on blood pressure. Examples like benzonatate (Tessalon) are available by prescription only.
While medical professionals consider these cough medications safe if you have high blood pressure, every person is different.
Consider speaking with a healthcare professional before taking any medication, and always check package inserts or box information to avoid the varieties containing decongestants.
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Cough medications to avoid if you have high blood pressure
Cough medicines containing decongestants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can raise your blood pressure or interfere with your current antihypertensive medications.
They work by constricting nasal blood vessels, but they can also affect blood vessels throughout the body, which might elevate blood pressure.
The letters “CF” or “D” on medication boxes or bottles indicate that a decongestant is present in the cough medication.
Similarly, cough medicines containing NSAIDs, like ibuprofen and naproxen, are often present for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. But they can also raise blood pressure, particularly if it’s already high.
While the effects may be temporary, it’s important to approach the use of NSAIDs with caution or consider alternatives if you have high blood pressure.
Also, always read the labels carefully and consider speaking with a healthcare professional before taking any OTC cough medication.
When to contact a doctor about a cough
Various factors, like respiratory infections, allergies, or irritants, can trigger coughs.
While occasional coughing isn’t generally a cause for concern, in some cases, it can be a symptom of a more severe underlying condition.
You should consider contacting a doctor or healthcare professional if:
your cough lasts more than a week and doesn’t show signs of improvement
you’re experiencing shortness of breath or wheezing
you’re coughing up blood, or the mucus is discolored
you have a fever lasting more than a day of 100.4 oF or higher
you have chest pain or pressure
They will check your symptoms and determine the best treatment for your overall health.
About hypertension medication
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a chronic condition that occurs when the force of blood against the artery walls is consistently too high.
It can lead to serious health complications like heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and stroke.
Various medications belonging to different classes can help manage blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications.
Diuretics
Diuretics help lower high blood pressure by increasing urine production. This reduces the amount of fluid in the blood vessels. Commonly prescribed diuretics include:
ACE inhibitors work by inhibiting the actions of angiotensin converting enzymes, decreasing the production of a hormone that raises blood pressure. Some commonly prescribed ACE inhibitors include:
Calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels by blocking the entry of calcium into the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels, reducing blood pressure.
Some commonly used calcium channel blockers include:
While various medications are available for high blood pressure, consider talking with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate medication for you.
It’s important to adhere to the prescribed treatment plan and regularly monitor your blood pressure to ensure it’s well managed.
Summary
When it comes to choosing a cough medication for high blood pressure, it’s important to consider the risks and choose wisely.
Avoiding cough suppressants that contain certain decongestants, like pseudoephedrine, may reduce the risk of increased blood pressure.
Instead, opt for cough medications labeled as “DM” or “nondrowsy,” as they are generally safe for people with high blood pressure.
Always make sure to read labels carefully and consider talking with a healthcare professional before taking any OTC medications.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
Ruschitzka F, et al. (2017). Differential blood pressure effects of ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib in patients with arthritis: The PRECISION-ABPM (prospective randomized evaluation of celecoxib integrated safety versus ibuprofen or naproxen ambulatory blood pressure measurement) trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8139400/
