What is the best over the counter blood pressure medicine

Topic Overview

Which over-the-counter medicines can affect blood pressure?

Some over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can raise your blood pressure or keep your blood pressure medicine from working the way it should. So if you have high blood pressure or other heart or blood vessel problems, you need to be careful with OTC medicines. That includes vitamins and other natural health products. Your doctor or pharmacist can suggest OTC medicines that are safe for you.

Table of Contents Show

Topic Overview
Which over-the-counter medicines can affect blood pressure?
How can you know if it's safe to take an over-the-counter medicine?
What Is High Blood Pressure?
RELATED: Am I at Risk for High Blood Pressure?
What Is the Difference Between OTC and Prescription Medicines
OTC Medicines & High Blood Pressure
What OTC Medications Should I Avoid with High Blood Pressure?
RELATED: Grapefruit and Medication: How to Stay Safe
When Should I Talk to My Doctor?
What is the best over the counter supplement for high blood pressure?
What is the most effective blood pressure medicine on the market?
What are the top 5 blood pressure medications?

Some common types of OTC medicines you may need to avoid include:

Decongestants, such as those that contain pseudoephedrine.
Pain medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
Cold and influenza medicines. These often contain decongestants and NSAIDs.
Some antacids and other stomach medicines. Many of these are high in sodium, which can raise blood pressure. So be sure to read labels carefully to check for sodium content.
Some natural health products. Examples are ephedra, ma huang, and bitter orange.

How can you know if it's safe to take an over-the-counter medicine?

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before you take any new OTC medicine or supplement. He or she can:

Check to make sure that the medicine won't interact with your blood pressure medicine.
Suggest OTC medicines that won't affect your blood pressure.

It's also important to make a list of all the medicines you take. Bring it to each appointment, and ask your doctor to review it. Be sure to include all your prescription medicines, OTC medicines, vitamins, and other natural health products.

Credits

Current as of:
April 29, 2021

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Donald Sproule MDCM, CCFP - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine

Copied!

Millions of people have high blood pressure. If you’re one of them, you’ll probably have a cold, allergies, or aches and pains at one time or another. Before you reach for help at the drug store, you need to know that some over-the-counter medicines may not be safe for you to take.

It’s good for everyone, whether you have high blood pressure or not, to know that over-the-counter doesn’t mean risk-free. You can learn how to stay safe by talking to your doctor and following a few simple rules.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, typically refers to blood pressure that is 140/90 or above. Blood pressure of 180/120 is considered severe hypertension.

The first number is your systolic blood pressure, which is your blood pressure when your heart beats while pumping blood. The second number is your diastolic blood pressure, which is your blood pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.

For reference, normal blood pressure for adults is around 120/80, and this can increase when you’re excited, scared, or active, but should return to normal fairly quickly.

What Is the Difference Between OTC and Prescription Medicines

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are drugs you can buy without a prescription from your doctor. Most people have used OTC medicines to relieve a headache, soothe an upset stomach, or treat cold symptoms.

Prescription medicines are drugs that you can only buy with a prescription from your doctor. Many people use them to treat temporary health problems – like taking an antibiotic for strep throat – or to treat an ongoing health condition like high blood pressure.

If your doctor thinks your blood pressure is high enough to need medicine, you’ll get a prescription. There are no FDA-approved OTC medicines for high blood pressure.

OTC Medicines & High Blood Pressure

Some OTC medicines can raise blood pressure, or make the medicines you’re already taking less effective. Many OTC cold and allergy medicines include decongestants, which can help relieve a stuffy nose but can also raise blood pressure. Some OTC medicines also have high amounts of sodium, which can make your blood pressure go up.

Labels on OTC medicines list their ingredients, warnings, and other important facts that you need to know before you take them. Always read the labels and talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you aren’t sure what something means.

Remember: taking OTC medicines without taking to your doctor can put you at risk if your blood pressure is high. Never stop taking medicine for high blood pressure unless your doctor tells you to.

What OTC Medications Should I Avoid with High Blood Pressure?

You should avoid any medication that increases your blood pressure or constricts your blood vessels. These are medications such as:
NSAIDs, like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
Decongestants (frequently found in cough or cold medicine)
Migraine medications
Weight loss drugs

When Should I Talk to My Doctor?

If you are taking high blood pressure medication and need relief from common health problems, you should always talk to your doctor first, and keep these tips in mind:

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. This can help your doctor figure out what is safe for you.
If your doctor says you can take OTC medicine, take it exactly as you are told. Taking more than the recommended dose can be very dangerous.
Remember that vitamins, herbs, and supplements can also interact with the medicines you take. Just because something is labeled “natural” does not mean it is safe for you.
Do not start taking something new without talking to your doctor.
Never stop taking your blood pressure medicine without talking to your doctor.

Knowing your blood pressure numbers and how to manage high blood pressure is an important part of a healthy life. Visit the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute or call 1-855-UPMC-HVI (876-2484) to learn more.

What is the best over the counter supplement for high blood pressure?

Potassium Potassium may be the best known nutritional supplement for blood pressure regulation. Studies suggest that increasing your intake through food or supplements helps reduce high blood pressure levels ( 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ).

What is the most effective blood pressure medicine on the market?

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), and beta blockers are recommended as first-choice medications in some younger adults with high blood pressure. They are all effective at lowering blood pressure, but differ in the ways they work.