Sudafed and High Blood Pressure

 Sudafed® (pseudoephedrine hydrochloride) is a non-prescription decongestant often used to treat nasal or sinus congestion due to allergies or the common cold. You should tell your healthcare provider about all other medical conditions you have before taking Sudafed. There are certain conditions in which your healthcare provider may not recommend the drug. For example, high blood pressure that is not well-controlled can be worsened with the use of this medication.
 
Not only can Sudafed worsen high blood pressure (especially high blood pressure that is not well-controlled with medications or other treatments), it can also increase the heart rate or cause heart palpitations. If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, it is important to check with your healthcare provider before taking any Sudafed products.
 
(Click Sudafed Warnings and Precautions for more information about high blood pressure and Sudafed, and to find out what other medical conditions you should tell your healthcare provider about before using this medication.)
 
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD