Any pharmacists to give drug advice?

[Merryoldgoat]

I’m sorry for posting this but my local pharmacist is closed and I’m feeling rotten.

I am 7 weeks post partum still suffering with high blood pressure and on 30mg of Nifedipine three times a day (big dose I know).

I had flu about 4 weeks ago, I’m still suffering a bit and would normally take lemsip during the day and night nurse at night but both seem to be contraindicated with hypertension.

Is this just the usual otc medication caution or can I take a lemsip safely - I feel so rotten and depressed it’s awful.

Any advice gratefully received.

I would just take paracetamol. Lemsip contains phenylephrine which can raise your BP so best to avoid whilst you are being treated for this.

Avoid all decongestants.

I cant see why you cant take Night Nurse though. The PIL doesnt list calcium channel blockers are one of the medicines to speak to your pharmacist/doctor about, and none of the ingredient elevate BP.

Working on the assumption you arent breast feeding...

No, not breastfeeding.

Looks like I need to avoid. I love them when I’m ill - the decongestant really helps.

A decongestant nasal spray would be safer as hardly any is absorbed into the body. Take paracetamol as well, that should give a similar effect to lemsip.

I'd avoid both. Phenylephrine (in Lemsip) can definitely put your blood pressure up. The small print side effects of promethazine (one of the ingredients in night nurse) includes interfering with BP too.

Thank you all - I’ll stick to paracetamol and brufen.

Can’t wait to get off these bloody pills - my ankles have disappeared