With Summer well on its way and my hay fever having probably kicked in about 2 months ago, has anyone noticed whether hay fever or anti-allergy medicines cause heart palpitations?
I’ve always taken Benadryl however, I’ve noticed my heart palpitations have been on the rise and this is the only thing that’s changed as far as my medication routine recently. The Benadryl doesn’t seem to be as effective as far as my hay fever symptoms go this year, so I would be happy to change it if necessary.
What does everyone else take on here if they suffer with hay fever?
Oh, if anyone has any natural remedies to offer, I will happily accept those too :).
Just a disclaimer that I will not take any medications without confirming with a pharmacist or doctor first as I appreciate this is just a support forum.
Thank you 🤧
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Tos92
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Hi tos yeah I notice that will nasal spray so had to stop using it my asthma is sooo bad at the moment hard to breath. I have taken an allergy tablet aswell cause of the pollen xx hope your ok.
Thanks Tos92 nah not as bad as this I felt terrible yesterday after travelling and walking in the sun felt dizzy, sweaty, faint and sick I had to lie down for ages and so exhausted hearts been a bit weird today and so has my breathing and something has really aggrivated my asthma still feel exhausted even though I got 12 hours sleep. I drank and ate plenty yesterday aswell still wasn't enough got soooo dehydrated sun was too hot had to wear a hat in doors! Still didn't help. Glad your keeping well and hope your mum is ok x thanks for asking hun yeah brother is doing good thanks. ❤️. Has the heat affected you like this before it's never affected me like that I think it was exhaustion from travelling the heat and walking that did it.
What types of inhalers are you on? I know there are different ones. My mum takes salbutamol and Fostair (the pink one). I wonder if you could ask your doctor to perhaps put you on a steroid inhaler (can’t remember the name but I know it’s brown) and see if that helps ease your symptoms unless you’re already on it? Maybe the walking exasperated your symptoms?
I was recently on holiday in Dubai in April, and I was walking anywhere between 13k-14k steps a day and it was very exhausting. At least you’re taking precautions by stating hydrated and wearing a hat. Unfortunately, I’m not great at any of those things, but I always remember my SPF somehow 🤣
I am on the brown it's called clenil modulite I take 2 puffs 2 times a day but I also have salbutamol for emergencies had to take about 4 times in the last 2 days, which I don't need to do unless I'm having a flare up. Aw my brother is on fostair he has terrible asthma x I was good yesterday but normally I'm silly I forget to stay well hydrated 😅. My throat is so sore think it might be hayfever or knowing my luck a cold 🙈. Atleast you remember your suncream! 😅. My mum had to remind me and then give me some to put on 😅x
I can never remember the name of that brown one 🙈. I hope your asthma settles down soon so you can enjoy some of this sun outside. Be safe and I hope you have a lovely week ahead xx
Aw that's ok Tos92 I only remember it cause I've been on it for like 20 years x 😅🙈. Thanks hun it's alot better today 😘. Aw thanks you too it's gorgeous weather in it! ❤️
Daing, you need to look after yourself! You are right to drink a lot etc, but should Not do much in this heatwave. It is not scaremongering to say that high temperature is a killer…. Best wishes 🌻
interested enough I was prescribed Fexofenadine 180 mg yesterday. I read the leaflet with it and it says can cause Afib. That’s the last thing I need right now having recently undergone OHS. Personally I think I’m gonna put up with this awful hay fever than risk Afib.
Oh no! There seem to be a fair few people on it. I will definitely have to check with my doctor. I could be joining you in putting up with the hay fever this year too without medication.
I’m going to ring my surgery tomorrow to ask as this was prescribed yesterday at another surgery. Obviously the dr doesn’t know me and probably didn’t read all my problems. I’ll keep u posted Tos.
I don’t suffer with high or low BP however, I do have meds that lower BP in order to treat my heart rate as a side effect. What effect can antihistamine’s have on BP meds?
I’m surprised the chemist let you buy this medication. Didn’t he ask if you were on any meds? I have hay fever and many other allergies. I take fexofenadine. When my hay fever is really bad I use eye drops and nasal spray, all I f which are prescription only. With the throat irritation I go back to good old Jakemans lozenges.
I’m on Losartan, Ivabradine, Ticagrelor, Aspirin for heart. I take Esomeprazole, Fexofenadine, Avamys nasal spray, Eye drops, Vitamin D, Paracetamol and three inhalers for asthma. As I said I have multiple allergies so have antihistamines and tummy meds to counteract side effects of my meds. The inhalers are as a result of two doses of Covid I’m afraid. I have been prescribed other meds for panic attacks and pain but don’t take them. I only use the nasal spray if my hay fever is pretty bad as it can cause nosebleeds.
Hi, I take Asda’s own brand cetirizine 1 a day allergy tablets , I take them all year round as my eyes get very itchy if I don’t , I was only thinking a couple of days ago that my hayfever wasn’t too bad so far this year then the hot weather started and my symptoms have really flared up , I use eye drops and a nasal spray when it gets to the summer months but at the moment nothing is helping and since Thursday I’m really suffering , my eyes are so gritty it’s driving me insane . I’d love to know what works to help with the itchy eyes. I really feel for everyone suffering . I’m loving the lovely weather though ☀️
Thanks for your reply. I usually use the over-counter eyes drops for allergies such as Optrex or Opticrom. Have you tried either of those? If over the counter eye drops don’t work, your GP should be able to prescribe you with something. Hay fever this year definitely feels worse. My brother has never suffered from hay fever and he’s developed it this year!
The weather is lovely, wish the hay fever would stay at bay, can already feel my itchy ears and throat kicking in as I’m typing this to you 😕
thank you for your reply , my symptoms are making g me feel a bit tetchy this morning , I’m struggling to sleep as I feel so hot , my ears and throat are so itchy too, it’s driving me crazy . I am debating whether I should see if I can be prescribed something that will work . So many more people are suffering with hay fever when they didn’t before. Have you tried putting vaseline around your nostrils , it’s meant to help stop the pollen . I’ll try anything . Hope you have a good day , weather is lovely again x
My sister is pregnant at the moment, and I believe hay fever tablets are not recommended for use when carrying a baby. Anyway, she’s had the exact symptoms as you and cannot sleep because of the ear and throat itching. She’s now taking Piriton after avoiding it for the last 2 months with her doctors advice of course.
I just saw the Vaseline tip around the nostrils from someone else too so I will be doing that before leaving the house today. It really can be a nightmare for us who suffer with hay fever at this time of the year, just puts a downer on everything such as going out, enjoying the sun etc.
Hope you have a lovely day too and the symptoms settle soon x
I’ve been quite lucky with the eyes so far (touch wood) though I know when the eyes eventually start itching, I’m going to want to take my eyeballs out !
A surprising number of very common cold and hay fever remedies contain ingredients that can react with heart medicine. Its best to ask the pharmacist. Any condition such as hay fever that affects the ability to fully breathe is likely to cause some sort of heart reaction.
I don't normally suffer from palpitations but definitely did when we had our air show last week and the red arrows swooped over our house belching their signature smoke. Very unpleasant, presumably pollution from congested traffic might have the same effect so steer clear of close proximity to air shows and likely traffic jams!
Sorry to hear about the heart palpitations you had last week from the air show! Thank you, I will make a note of that. I hope you’re enjoying the lovely weather ☀️
No, we don't like continual sun so the few hours of rain yesterday was very welcome. Its hard work having to water all our pots by hand as we have a hose pipe ban!
I’ve got to admit, I don’t mind it when the temperature’s are sitting at around 24/25 degrees, anything above that, I don’t seem to get on too well with.
We’ve yet to have rain where I am. Something tells me it’s not too far away now though. I didn’t realise about the hose pipe ban. Just did a quick Google search and it came up. I’ve got to say, I don’t think we’ve ever had it here. Wouldn’t be surprised if they do roll it out at some point though.
Hi I have asthma and hay fever. I am on Ramipril, Bisoprolol and amlodipine for BP I was suffering badly about 2 months ago from Hay Fever due to tree pollen. I asked my cardio nurse which antihistamine to use, she recommended band name Allevia (Fexofenadine hydrochloride) these work for 24 hours and seem to take effect quickly. I also double checked with the chemist where I bought the tablets. They confirmed ok to use. I haven't had any problems. For itching eyes I use antihistamine eye drops. Another tip is to have a shower to wash the pollen out of your hair as it drops down onto your face and you inhale it. But I have noticed I feel more tired in this heat and breathing has worsened. Even indoors, it is too hot and yes, I think pollution has increased in this heat. However, check with the chemist what you should take and sometimes your doctor has a chemist as part of the team, they are very knowledgeable on which meds to use.
Thank you for your reply. You’re right about washing the hair tip, pollen probably does get stuck in there more often during summer months than we realise. Fexofenadine has come up quite a bit on this thread so I think this will be my next avenue to explore!
Hi I have heart failure and am on a cocktail of drugs. I suffer from really bad hayfever and take lorratadine, eye drops and clenil modulite inhaler, all recommended by my GP and approved by my cardiac nurse. Obviously everyone is different so check with your doctor or pharmacist.
I seem to have become allergic to Cetirizine after starting on medication. Loratadine seems to be okay.... so far! I try to take the tablet once my other meds have been digested and with something to eat.
Everyone is different, however I take Loratidine which works ok although not perfect. Checked with pharmacist first who confirmed these are ok with the cocktail of tablets I take. There are some water based nasal sprays available. Also putting Vaseline in and around the nostrils can be an effective barrier. Usual advice is try to stay indoors, wear wraparound sunglasses, shower and wash hair. Good luck trying to cope with hay fever along with everything else 🙂
World1inmotion thank you for those really useful tips! I completely forgot about using the Vaseline as a preventive measure to block/keep out the pollen from the nostrils. My mum used to do this too!
I spoke to my pharmacist who advised to take Loratadine 10 mg tablets. I find these work fine and not noticed any effects with my BP and heart meds. Always best to speak to the pharmacist as they know more about the medications.
Thank you. I have noticed so far that anything that ends in “dine” seem to be the more popular anti-allergy/hay fever meds. Will definitely look into it!
Antihistamines and cold remedies containing pseudoephedrine are generally contraindicated for those with any form of heart condition. This should be stated in the PIL.
That’s interesting. I note that particular ingredient, pseudoephedrine is in most, if not all hay fever tablets! Perhaps it is in small quantities only? Thank you for pointing it out.
Generic otc antihistamines like loratidine and cetirizine do not contain pseudoephedrine, neither does fexofenadine, now available otc too, having been until recently a prescription-only medication.
That’s interesting. I did a quick Google search and that’s what it showed. I supplied the link below, it maybe an unreliable source but I did interpret it as pseudoephedrine is used in anti-allergy medications. If you scroll down to “decongestants” a couple of paragraphs down, you’ll see the info where it states this if you’re interested.
EDIT: it’s a U.S. site and it seems they use pseudoephedrine in Fexofenadine. I’ve read the information leaflet for Fexofenadine, and it doesn’t seem the one supplied in the U.K. contains pseudoephedrine. So all good - thank you for your earlier clarification.
I’ve just compared the ingredients in the same anti-allergy medicines used in the US and U.K. Although having the same name, it seems there are differences in the ingredients of the meds which is interesting. I wonder why that is 🤔
Thanks for the link. I’m aware the above contains pseudoephedrine after it was brought to my attention. Think it’s safe to say that there will be no more Benadryl for me and may have to go without this year which won’t be fun!
Yes, pseudoephedrine works as a decongestant, so is included in some anti-allergy (and cold/flu) medications to alleviate that type of symptom if needed. Simple antihistamines such as cetirizine do not include it. Fexofenadine is a generic stand-alone antihistamine medication, but it is also available combined with a pseudoephedrine under other names in the UK. You are quite right in thinking that pharmaceutical products in the USA can vary in composition from those manufactured here in the UK, and when the product name is the same it can get very confusing! Experience has shown that checking the PIL for the formulation of any medication or supplement taken is a wise thing to do. Hope you find something that works for you soon.🙂
Thank you for the explanation. I’m sure there are many others on here which will benefit from this information. I’ll be off to find a replacement for my Benadryl tomorrow so I can enjoy some of this sunshine.
Two different pharmacies and my Heart Failure Nurse looked at all my meds and then all my potential hayfever tablets and said none should interfere with each other. But I will check every year. And you should still check with yours. As an aside I'm now on my fourth different hayfever med this year as the first three didn't work at all; and the jury is out on this one. It seems particularly bad this year. I don't know if it's just me or because I didn't have it last year (I think my heart issues meant I was too busy for bloody hayfever!!).
Wow, four different ones. Have they changed because they haven’t been effective in reducing hay fever symptoms, or because they were causing side effects?
Yes, the hay fever this year seems worse that’s for sure!
Sorry, I should have been clearer - they're just weren't working. No side effects at all. I often (not always) have to switch to a second major ingredient but four is mad. Admittedly I'm assuming the first three didn't work due to the usual fluctuations in allergy season but it could be the heart meds simply neutralised their effectiveness. I'll need to check if that’s possible (I'll add it to my list of questions for the Heart Failure Nurse - she hates how many questions I always have for her!!!).
Oh I see! No need to apologise. Which one are you currently taking? Do you feel that it’s working?
I don’t think us hearties are always the favourite people of cardiologists or nurses because they can almost guarantee that we have a question or a list of questions when we do see them 🙈
I've been through the Cetrizine, Loratadine, Acrivastine (Benadryl) and now Fexofenadine (TreatHay, relatively new to over-the-counter). It seems to be working but only for around twelve hours. Good luck!
Yes, another member on this thread also mentioned it can interact with BP meds yesterday. Nothing is ever straight forward for us hearties is it *sigh*.
Already posted but have to ask: sure, some meds like antihistamines can spike BP and cause palpitations, ibuprofen can change the effect of aspirin and cause high BP, etc, but if it’s literally only a couple of tablets when you’re in a pickle, are the side effects really going to be that bad? Surely the warnings are only there for long term use/abuse, not short term?
Can’t answer all of those questions I’m afraid. I did think the ingredients that are put in anti-allergy/hay fever tablets that are contraindicated for hearties are in small quantities only and it should be okay however, as this thread has shown, people do experience heart palpitations from them, as I think I am too recently hence the post.
Also, I wonder what long-term use would be considered? I can easily take hay fever tablets for about 6 months, usually starting from April and ending in September. Is that considered long enough to potentially cause alarming and possibly dangerous symptoms/effects on the heart?
Here’s hoping we have a pharmacist on here! I’m mostly OK throughout the year, but when grass pollen starts, I literally struggle to see some days because my eyes are swollen up and watering. In those cases, I normally pop a single antihistamine to clear it up. But, reading some posts here, I’m now worried to take it.
Hi my GP prescribed cetirizine dihydrochloride and flixonase nasal spray.Both worked for me but I know my heart meds are a bit different from most people's. My blood pressure is fine I don't take anything for it.
I hope your GP or pharmacist can give you something that will help. Char
I have seasonal asthma and take loratadine, brown inhaler breath activated qvar easy breath plus blue salamol easy breath plus nasal spray dymista, I am also diabetic and had 2 heart attacks thankfully my named gp is excellent.
Just for info ... Boots do a 'Haymax Barrier Balm' that is made with sunflower oil & beeswax, which is ment to be a bit gentler on the skin than the petroleum in vasaline.
Others suggest that clearing the pollen out of the nose by sniffing up salt water solution (then spitting it out if it drips onto your throat) can ease hay-fever too. I don't normally suffer from hay-fever, but this weekend I can't seem to stop sneezing!
My husband is on heart medications and was told you shouldn’t take over the counter medication. After taking some new meds and thinking it was an allergic reaction to them he was prescribed antihistamines which seemed to be ok. It turned out it wasn’t a reaction but all the same do check. You can always ask the pharmacist.
Based on long hauler experiences, many with MCAS, it seems different people do better on different antihistamines. More a case of try and see what works for you.
"No Mow May" in UK has aggravated my hayfever which is the worst in many years.
I do better on the older meds. Chlorphenamine Maleate, and Cetrizine Di-hydrochloride. The newer ones cause me insomnia. I'm aware there's an increased risk of alzheimers associated with the older ones which concerns me. They don't last as long so I only use them at night and take advantage of the drowsiness effect.
I use the British National Formulary (BNF) website to check for potential interactions and side effects.
Also drinking 2 cups of nettle tea daily helps and following a low histamine diet lightens the overall load. The SIGHI list is the comprehensive and most frequently recommended.
I found ketotifen eye drops helpful one time. I think they're a Mast cell stabiliser rather than antihistamine, but I'm not sure?
Thank you. I had no idea about some of the older meds you mention or the eye drops a part from the Cetrizine. I can always query the eye drops tomorrow with the pharmacist.
I hope you can manage to have a symptom free Summer from the hay fever.
I have taken generic Benadryl for many years, and have continued to take it after my afib diagnois. It has had no effect on my afib, but again, everyone is different.
I was able to see a pharmacist on Monday and they also recommended Loratadine stating that it is one of the safest allergy tablets to take for heart patients. So I’m currently giving it a go. Fingers crossed it works 🤞🏽
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