Like many antihistamines, Claritin D contains pseudoephedrine. This drug has been known to raise blood pressure in sensitive individuals. Patients with high blood pressure need to be very careful when taking any anithistamine, decongestant, or allergy medication.
The Claritin High Blood Pressure Effect
Claritin and Claritin D are the brand names of two antihistamines taken by millions of people suffering from allergies. The active ingredient, Loratadine, was developed by the drug company Schering-Plough as a non-sedating antihistamine. Loratadine was one of the first non-sedating antihistamines approved by the FDA for use. While Claritin and Claritin D are highly effective for most people, some people experience side effects ranging from dry mouth to severe reactions.
The second major ingredient in Claritin, Claritin D and other allergy ingredients is pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine acts as a decongestant, clearing up stuffy or runny noses. Many cough, cold and allergy preparations contain this drug.
The reason that Claritin, Claritin D and other allergy medications raise blood pressure is not usually due to the Loratadine component, but to pseudoephedrine. Raised blood pressure can be a consequence of any allergy medicine containing pseudoephedrine, not just Claritin.
Extended-Release Allergy and Cold Medicines More Likely to Raise Blood Pressure
According to medical researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, most people can safely take products containing pseudoephedrine. Dr. Italo Biaggioni, Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at the Vanderbilt Clinical Trials Center, notes that some patients may not know they are susceptible to the drug's effects when they take over-the counter medications. At typical doses of 30 milligrams, there's only a slightly chance that pseudoephedrine will raise blood pressure. Extended-release allergy and cold medications, however, can have up to four times that amount, or 120 milligrams. Many allergy and cold medications contain pseudoephedrine; it's not only in Claritin and Claritin D.
Another decongestant, phenylpropanolamine, was pulled from the market because it was linked with an increase in strokes. The herb ephedra was also recently banned by the FDA because it caused unsafe rises in blood pressure, stroke and cardiac events. "The chemical structure of ephedra and pseudoephedrine is exactly the same," Biaggioni notes.
Conditions that Raise the Risk of Hypertension from Cold and Allergy Medicines
Several pre-existing medical conditions raise the risk of hypertension from cold and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Patients already diagnosed with hypertension or high blood pressure should consult their physicians about using allergy and cold medications, and use only the lowest dose possible. Many doctors advise such patients to take their blood pressure within an hour or two after taking medications containing pseudoephedrine. A slight increase may not be a problem, but dramatic increases should be reported to a physician and the allergy or cold medication discontinued.
Natural Decongestants
Patients who cannot tolerate allergy and cold medications due to high blood pressure or other medication conditions may wish to try natural decongestants and natural remedies for the symptoms associated with allergies, colds and flus. Simple warm liquids such as hot soup, tea, or warm water sipped at regular intervals can loosen congestion. Steam inhalation and vaporizors also offer relief from congestion. Slippery elm lozenges, combined with vitamin C, can ease sore throats. For colds and flus, rest and time are the only sure remedy.
Always Follow Dosage Directions for Allergy Medications
Even though you can now buy Claritin, Claritin D and many other allergy medications over the counter, they are not without side effects and can interact with medications or cause complications from pre-existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure. If you have a medical condition, always ask your doctor about any non prescription and prescription medications, or read the package labels and warnings very carefully.
While most anithistamines such as Claritin are safe for the majority of people to take, anyone can have a side effect or reaction from any substance. No matter how seemingly benign a medication, if you think you are having a reaction to it, talk to your doctor or seek medical treatment.
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