Taking over-the-counter medicines

Learn the names and dosages of the medicines prescribed for you. When you select an over-the-counter medicine, including herbs and vitamins, tell your pharmacist which heart medicines you are taking, and ask if a particular over-the-counter medicine is safe for you.

If you have heart failure, the following tips may help.

The safest cough and cold medicines for you

• chlorpheniramine (Chlortrimeton®)


Chlorpheniramine

Treats sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, itchy nose, or sore throat caused by colds, hay fever or other allergies.

Learn more about chlorpheniramine here.

• guifenesin with dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM®)


Dextromethorphan

Treats a cough caused by colds, the flu, and other conditions.

Learn more about dextromethorphan here.



Antitussive/expectorant

Treats a dry, irritated cough caused by the flu or the common cold.

Learn more about antitussive/expectorants here.

• loratadine (Claritin®)


Loratadine

Treats allergy (hay fever) symptoms and hives.

Learn more about loratadine here.

Medicines and ingredients in medicines that you should check with your doctor about or not take

These contain stimulants that make your heart work harder:

• pseudoephedrine (Sudafed®, Actifed®, Comtrex®, CoTylenol®, Nyquil®)


Pseudoephedrine

Treats stuffy nose and sinuses caused by the common cold, hay fever, or sinus infection.

Learn more about pseudoephedrine here.

• phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine®)


Phenylephrine

Treats stuffy nose.

Learn more about phenylephrine here.

• ephedrine or any kind of appetite suppressant


Ephedrine

Treats low blood pressure that is caused by other medicines. Also used to improve breathing.

Learn more about ephedrine here.

• natural or herbal products containing ma-huang (ephedrine).

Medicines that are high in sodium

• Vicks Cough Syrup® or Vicks Formula 44®
• Alka Seltzer® or Alka Seltzer Pain Relief®


Aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate

Treats heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach with headache, minor pain, or body aches.

Learn more about aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate here.

• Phospho-Soda®


Laxative, hyperosmotic

Treats constipation by helping you have a bowel movement.

Learn more about laxative, hyperosmotic here.

• Fleets Enema®

Medicines that may cause you to retain sodium and fluid

• ibuprofen (Nuprin®, Advil®, Motrin®, and many other anti-inflammatory medicines)


Ibuprofen

Treats fever and pain, including pain caused by headache, toothache, arthritis, cold or flu, migraine, or menstrual cramps.

Learn more about ibuprofen here.

• ketoprofen (Orudis KT®, Actron®)


Ketoprofen

Treats pain caused by arthritis, menstrual cramps, and other medical problems.

Learn more about ketoprofen here.

• naproxen (Aleve®)


Naproxen

Treats fever and pain, including pain caused by arthritis, gout, menstrual cramps, tendinitis, headache, backache, and toothache.

Learn more about naproxen here.

• glucocorticoids (prednisone, (methylprednisolone)


Prednisone

Treats asthma, serious skin problems, arthritis, and allergic reactions.

Learn more about prednisone here.



Methylprednisolone

Treats asthma, allergic reactions, inflammation, flare-ups of ongoing illnesses, and many other medical problems.

Learn more about methylprednisolone here.

Complementary medicines (herbs, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements and natural products)

These products may seem harmless because they are "natural," but they may also interfere with the work of your prescribed medicines.

Talk with your health care team or your pharmacist before starting a new herbal, vitamin or other alternative medicine therapy. Also tell your team what you are currently taking.