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Can Allergy Drug Worse Heart Conditions? An allergy is an immune system response to a foreign substance that is not typically harmful to the body. These foreign substances are called allergens that can include certain foods, pollen, or pet dander. Depending on the allergen, the response may involve inflammation, sneezing, or a number of other symptoms. Common types of allergens include animal products (pet dander, dust mite waste, and cockroaches); drugs (Penicillin and sulfa drugs are common triggers); foods (wheat, nuts, milk, shellfish, and egg allergies are common); insect stings (bees, wasps, and mosquitoes); plants (pollens from grass, weeds, and trees, as well as resin from plants such as poison ivy); other allergens (latex, often found in latex gloves and condoms, and metals like nickel); and seasonal allergies (also known as hay fever). Best way to avoid allergies is to stay away from whatever triggers the reaction. If that is not possible, there are of course treatment options available. One way is to take allergy medications that can be obtained over the counter or prescription. What the doctor recommends depends on the severity of the allergies. But some allergy medications can worsen a heart condition or can be dangerous when mixed with blood pressure drugs and certain heart disease medicines.
There are 3 major classes of allergy medications,
namely antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, and decongestants. Antihistamines
block the production of an inflammatory chemical in the body called histamine
that causes nasal tissues to swell when it is released. Anti-inflammatories
reduce swelling in the sinuses and nasal passages, and decongestants unblock
nasal passages.
Each type of medicine reacts differently with the heart. Antihistamines, which are commonly used to treat symptoms such as a runny nose or sneezing, are generally safe for patients with abnormal heart conditions. But the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the United Sates has warned that antihistamines taken together with some high blood pressure medications may cause a spike in blood pressure. Most varieties of anti-inflammatories are also unlikely to trigger an adverse reaction when taken in the correct dosage, though overdoses can also lead to an increase in blood pressure. Decongestants contain one of the two ingredients that can raise blood pressure and increase heart rate, most commonly, phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine. These chemicals constrict the blood vessels that helps shrink swollen mucus membranes in the nose. Unfortunately, patients taking decongestants can also experience blood vessel constriction in other areas of the body, putting them at critical risk for an unsafe increase in blood pressure or pulse. This can reduce the antihypertensive effects of blood pressure medications and lead to loss of blood pressure control. Unless instructed by a doctor, patients with high blood pressure or a heart arrhythmia should avoid decongestants and, antihistamines that may have a decongestant added to them. Problems with over-the-counter allergy medications is fairly common. Individual risk depends on a number of factors. But a basic rule of thumb is that the more medications that a patient is on, the greater the risk for interactions. To be safe, patients should always check labels before taking an allergy medication to make sure they know exactly the ingredients in it. It is extremely important to note that antihistamines are often paired with the decongestants. In such cases, the medication name will have a “D” at the end, which stands for pseudoephedrine. As mentioned before, anyone with high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, or other heart problems should avoid allergy medications with a "D" added after the name.
Nevertheless, patients with heart conditions can
still find relief from allergy symptoms by getting prescription medications that
are generally well tolerated when used in conjunction with heart medications.
Patients should talk to the doctors, bring the medicines to the appointment or
to the pharmacist. Meanwhile, a good practice is to have all of the prescription
filled at the same pharmacy. This way, the staff has all of the medications on
file. And more importantly, patients should not be shy to ask the pharmacist
questions if they are in doubt. Date: June 25, 2020
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