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People with high blood pressure, heart failure and kidney disease should avoid ibuprofen, sold under the brand names Advil and Motrin, and some other pain relievers because they can cause complications. Acetaminophen, sold as Tylenol, is the best first option, according to the Choosing Wisely campaign. By
Some pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can be bad for you if you have high blood pressure, heart failure or kidney disease. The drugs are called NSAIDs, short for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and are sold under the names Advil, Motrin, Aleve and the prescription drug Celebrex. They can cause all kinds of problems for people who have the above-listed health conditions. They can, for example, raise blood pressure or make a body hold onto fluid, which can worsen heart failure symptoms such as shortness of breath and swollen ankles. If you have any of these conditions it’s best to take acetaminophen, sold as Tylenol, instead. But never take more than 4,000 milligrams a day. High doses can damage the liver. All this advice comes from , an effort by the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation to encourage doctors, patients and other health care workers to talk about medical tests, procedures and treatment that might be unnecessary or could cause harm. Talk to your doctor first before taking any medical advice. And look for details on the Choosing Wisely campaign at where Consumer Reports explains them in easy-to-understand language. On Twitter: @dianesuchetka. Have a health care savings tip or question? Email me at . If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Are over-the-counter cold remedies safe for people who have high blood pressure?Answer From Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D. Over-the-counter cold remedies aren't off-limits if you have high blood pressure or take medication for high blood pressure, but it's important to make careful choices. Talk to your doctor before taking any OTC medications or supplements. Among over-the-counter cold remedies, decongestants cause the most concern for people who have high blood pressure. Decongestants relieve nasal stuffiness by narrowing blood vessels and reducing swelling in the nose. This narrowing can affect other blood vessels as well, which can increase blood pressure. To keep your blood pressure in check, avoid over-the-counter decongestants and multisymptom cold remedies that contain decongestants — such as pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, phenylephrine, naphazoline and oxymetazoline. Also, check the label for high sodium content, which can also raise blood pressure. Instead:
Call your doctor if your signs and symptoms get worse instead of better or last more than 10 days. With Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To
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. What painkillers are OK with high blood pressure?In general, people with high blood pressure should use acetaminophen or possibly aspirin for over-the-counter pain relief. Unless your health care provider has said it's OK, you should not use ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen sodium. If aspirin or acetaminophen doesn't help with your pain, call your doctor.
Can I take Advil with high blood pressure?Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can raise your blood pressure. But this change is usually small. If you have high blood pressure or heart problems, make sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking ibuprofen. Using ibuprofen regularly can cause potentially serious side effects, such as stomach ulcers.
Does Extra Strength Tylenol raise blood pressure?Acetaminophen, the popular pain reliever known by the brand name Tylenol, can raise blood pressure when taken regularly, according to a study in the Feb. 7, 2022, issue of Circulation.
Is there an anti inflammatory that does not raise blood pressure?Aspirin does not elevate blood pressure. Among nonselective NSAIDs, ibuprofen increases the risk of hypertension and stroke. Diclofenac does not increase the risk of hypertension, but does increase the risk of stroke. Naproxen (Naprosyn) does not increase the risk of hypertension or stroke.
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