Can you take mucinex with high blood pressure medicine

Sneezing, coughing, flu like symptoms have been running rampant this time of year and it’s likely you have encountered family members over the holidays with this question. Your grandma can’t stop coughing but she takes two or three high blood pressure medications so you’re in a dilemma as to which cough med to grab at the local drug store. First of all the problem just what is the problem with cough and cold meds in conjunction with anti-hypertensives?

Many cough and cold medications contain NSAIDs to relieve pain. NSAIDs may increase your blood pressure. Cough and cold medicines also frequently contain decongestants. Decongestants can make blood pressure worse in two ways:

• Decongestants may make your blood pressure and heart rate rise.
• Decongestants may prevent high blood pressure drugs from working properly.
• Avoid NSAIDs which increase blood pressure
• Avoid pseudoefedrine which causes an increase in systolic blood pressure (with no effect on diastolic blood pressure)What can you do? Avoid using cough and cold medicine that contains NSAIDs or decongestants. Ask your doctor for suggestions about other ways to ease symptoms of cold, flu, or sinus problems.
• However there are several cold and cough medicines that are safe to use when taking anti-hypertensives. A great one is Mucinex DM. It contains dextromethorphan and guaifenesin. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.
• Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.
• The combination of dextromethorphan and guaifenesin is used to treat cough and chest congestion caused by the common cold, infections, or allergies.
  These medicines are not known to elevate blood pressure.​
• There are many other medicines that are safe but is best to consult a pharmacist before purchasing.
  And as always –  drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest!
  (https://www.drugs.com/answers/i-have-high-blood-pressure-can-i-take-mucinex-dm-346391.html)(http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/high-blood-pressure-medication-safety#1)

  Yours for Healthier Nurses,

  Dianne

Answer

Thanks for reaching out!

It's always a good idea to look into potential drug interactions between the prescription medication you take, and over-the-counter (OTC) products you are looking at purchasing.

This is especially true with heart medications (e.g. for blood pressure) and blood thinners (e.g. Coumadin) as several OTCs have significant interactions with them.

For one example, over-the-counter NSAIDs, like ibuprofen and naproxen, should generally not be taken by individuals who are also on high blood pressure medication. NSAIDs can increase blood pressure and overall cardiovascular risk.

When it comes to Mucinex (guaifenesin), an OTC expectorant that helps to thin and loosen mucous secretions, you are pretty safe when it comes to dangerous interactions.

Unlike many over-the-counter drugs, Mucinex has very few reported drug interactions and none are reported with any blood pressure or blood thinner medication.

Mucinex Interactions

Although your question doesn't mention any specific medications you are taking, as mentioned above, Mucinex (guaifenesin) is not known to interact with any blood pressure or blood thinner medication.

In fact, most studies report that Mucinex has no know interactions at all!

It also has one of, if not the best, clinical safety profiles of any OTC cough/cold medication.

One study reports that it has the lowest reported frequency of both minor and major side effects:

"In a continuous safety surveillance analysis of 8 common cough and cold drugs conducted from 2008 through 2014, guaifenesin [Mucinex] showed the lowest number of “at least potentially related” non-fatal adverse event (AE) cases (1%) out of a total of 5610 index drug reports. Guaifenesin [Mucinex] had the lowest frequency of mentions for non-fatal AEs by system organ class (SOC) at estimated supra-therapeutic and even at estimated unknown dosing."

When drug interactions are reported with Mucinex, it most likely involves other ingredients.

For example, Mucinex DM, which contains both guaifenesin and dextromethorphan, has several interactions, but only due to dextromethorphan.

Be Careful As There Are Several 'Mucinex' Products On The Market

Going back to your question in regard to which Mucinex product is safe for you, without knowing your full medication list or history, regular Mucinex (guaifenesin) is your best option. It comes in both a regular, and 'extra' strength product.

You should speak with your doctor or local pharmacist regarding whether or not other Mucinex products (e.g. Mucinex DM, Mucinex Fast-Max) are safe for you.

Ingredients To Avoid

The following drug ingredients should generally be avoided and only taken under the recommendation of your doctor if you are on any sort of heart medication:

NSAIDs (ibuprofen or naproxen)

NSAIDs can not only raise blood pressure and overall cardiac risk (i.e. increase the risk of stroke and heart attack), but they also thin the blood.

If you are taking blood thinners, they could increase the risk of major bleeding events.

Nasal Decongestants

Decongestants, like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, can raise blood pressure and may also increase the risk of certain cardiac events.

Other

The above are general 'classes' of medication that should be avoided. However, there may be specific interactions between what you are taking and any other over-the-counter medications not listed above. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.

Final Words

Thanks so much again for contacting us. We are always happy to help!

Which Mucinex can I take with high blood pressure?

What happens if you take Mucinex with high blood pressure?

What medications should not be taken with Mucinex?

What is the best decongestant for someone with high blood pressure?