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Certain cold or flu medicines are probably safe for most people. However, people with high blood pressure should use these drugs with caution. Because these drugs may pose a risk for hypertension or affect the effectiveness of treatment for patients with underlying hypertension.
1. Explain how cold and flu medicine can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure
Currently, cold or flu medicines are widely available in the market and can even be bought by the patient for their own use. However, people with cardiovascular disease in general and people with high blood pressure in particular must be very careful with these drugs. Because the drug can cause risks for people with cardiovascular diseases, arrhythmias, blood pressure. And there has also been a case of stroke and hospitalization due to self-administration of flu medicine.
Why does cold medicine raise blood pressure or make it worse? Because the composition of these flu medicines contains paracetamol, phenyl prolamin PPA... For a long time, studies as well as the US Food and Drug Administration have classified cold and flu medicines that may contain this group. PPA substances are not safe and should not be used without a doctor's prescription, especially those with diseases related to the cardiovascular system.
Phenyl prolamin PPA is an active substance with properties similar to a sympathomimetic amine, which causes constriction of the small peripheral arterioles, constricts the blood vessels in the nasal peduncle, thereby reducing symptoms. inflammation, reduce secretions and reduce runny nose. With different doses, it can increase the ability to dilate bronchi as well as increase heart rate and constrict blood vessels... The vasoconstrictor effect of PPA drugs also helps reduce symptoms of edema in the mucous membranes. nose. Therefore, the drug can be used in the treatment of nasal congestion, acute sinusitis. Cold medicine also has the ability to suppress appetite, so it can be used as one of the methods to help lose weight. However, PPA drugs are mainly used to put in cold and flu medicines because the drug works quickly to relieve the symptoms of the flu.
As a rule, the recommended safe dose of PPA is 25 to 30mg per use. However, to quickly relieve the symptoms of colds, many manufacturers can use this compound in higher concentrations. For example, there are cold and flu tablets that will have a PPA content of 30 mg while the instructions for use still allow two tablets to be taken at a time. PPA is present in most cold medicines and has a vasoconstrictor effect that helps reduce congestion in the nasal mucosa and reduce secretions in this organ. However, the vasoconstrictor effect is the cause of the increase in blood pressure. So if you use cold medicine along with blood pressure medicine, it can make it less effective. Therefore, cold medicine increases blood pressure if the patient has an underlying cardiovascular disease.
2. Drugs that should be used with caution when used for people with high blood pressure in the treatment of colds and flu
Cold medicine ingredients containing phenylpropanolamine or acetaminophen can cause high blood pressure, besides, some medicines containing this ingredient can also cause high blood pressure in patients. Drugs that increase blood pressure in patients should be used with caution, including:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Drugs that work to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Medicines such as ibuprofen and aspirin may be chosen to relieve symptoms of the common cold and flu. So, ibuprofen increases the risk of high blood pressure and stroke, while aspirin does not increase this risk. Decongestants can also be used to treat colds and flu. Because medication can help patients reduce symptoms related to stuffy nose. However, the drug can pose risks for people with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular disorders. Decongestants work by constricting blood vessels in the sinuses and can also cause vasoconstriction elsewhere in the body. Therefore, the drug can increase the patient's blood pressure and heart rate. Decongestants interacting with blood pressure medications can make the blood pressure medication less effective. Therefore, patients need to learn carefully and be prescribed by a doctor before using the drug. When having a cold, the patient should drink a lot of filtered water, eat fruits... to help clear phlegm and mucus in the lungs. At the same time, it can increase the humidity of the air to help relieve nasal congestion, relieve nasal congestion and cough. Moreover, it is advisable to adhere to the use of the drug as prescribed by the doctor.
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