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Cold/Flu Meds Pose Risks For High Blood Pressure DALLAS, December 8, 2014 – If you have high blood pressure and purchase an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, you may be getting more than you bargained for. That’s the word from experts who caution that some medications taken over the counter can have a negative impact on blood pressure. If patients are unknowingly taking medications that elevate blood pressure, it could undermine efforts to keep blood pressure in a safe range. The First Step Willie E. Lawrence, Jr., M.D., a spokesman for the American Heart Association and chief of cardiology at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, said the first step is for people with high blood pressure to know which products could cause variations in blood pressure. Cold medicines, painkillers and energy pills or drinks are a few products to watch out for if you have high blood pressure. “Patients should be aware of the list of things that we know can cause an elevation in blood pressure,” Dr. Lawrence said. He advised that these products should be avoided, used with caution, used only for a short amount of time or used after a discussion with a medical professional. Tips On Using OTCs People with hypertension should educate themselves before taking over-the-counter medicines. Some things to consider include: Chat with a doctor. Lawrence cautions that people who have high blood pressure need to tell their doctors about any over-the-counter medicine they are taking or have taken recently. Be a label reader. Medication labels should be scrutinized