Recommendations to treat cold symptoms
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Hello, my neighbor AIisha, a 60-year-old woman, wants to know what OTC remedy is best for treating her cold symptoms. Her medical history includes hypertension and hyperthyroidism, and she is taking several medications, including lisinopril and methimazole. AIisha is suffering from significant nasal congestion, which is preventing her from sleeping well at night, and she would like to take a nonprescription decongestant, but the label on the medication she selected says to check with a doctor or a pharmacist if individuals have high blood pressure or thyroid disease. Can anyone advise what recommendations should I provide?
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@Abhik The occurrence of common cold is increasing nowadays. Symptoms include congestion, cough, headache, malaise, pain, postnasal drip, rhinorrhea, sinus pressure, and/or sneezing. Given Alisha's medical and medication history, she should avoid systemic decongestants containing pseudoephedrine or other active ingredients that cause vasoconstriction to provide symptom relief. These agents can cause increases in blood pressure and may exacerbate symptoms of hyperthyroidism. To err on the side of caution, it is prudent to recommend forms of nonpharmacologic relief of congestion in this case, including nasal decongestant strips, saline or a teapot, or topical camphor- or menthol-containing preparations that may help clear inflamed nasal passages.
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