High blood pressure Safely using other medicines (1160)

How do I know which medicines are safe?

• Before buying an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, talk with the pharmacist.  
o Tell the pharmacist that your child has high blood pressure.  
o Tell them about all the medicines that your child takes. 
• Always read the label before you give your child medicine.  
• Call your child’s doctor or nurse before you give your child medicine you already have in your home.
• Always talk with a healthcare provider before using any herbal medicines.
Read all labels. Do not use any over-the-counter medicines that have:
• Phenylephrine.
• Pseudoephedrine. This is found in cold medicines. It can only be bought with a signature and ID in Wisconsin.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This includes ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen.
• Caffeine.

Be sure your child’s doctor knows about their high blood pressure before using these prescription medicines:

• ADHD medicines. Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Methylin, and Daytrana, Adhansia XR, Aptensio XR).  Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine medicines (Adderall, Dexedrine, and Mydayis)
• Erythropoietin. Epogen, Aranesp, Procrit, and Retacrit
• Corticosteroids. This includes hydrocortisone, prednisone, and dexamethasone.
• Oral contraceptives or birth control pills.
• Theophylline or aminophylline.
• Antidepressants.  This includes Amitriptyline, Doxepin, Imipramine, Nortriptyline, Venlafaxine (Effexor), Bupropion (Wellbutrin), Desipramine (Norpramin).
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: Isocarboxazide (Marplan).  Phenelzine (Nardil).
Tranylcypromine (Parnate).
• Calcineurin inhibitors. Cyclosporine (Neoral) and tacrolimus (Prograf). 
• Eye and nose drops with phenylephrine or naphazoline.
Avoid:
• Caffeine • Tobacco
• Alcohol • Diet pills
• Black licorice • Herbal medicines that have arnica, bitter orange, ephedra, gingko biloba, ginseng, guarana, or St. John’s wort
• Any street drugs, including amphetamines, cocaine, PCP, and Ecstasy