These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Allergy Medication
Question: I am 64 years old. I take Prazosin and Prinivil to control slightly high blood pressure. In the Spring, in Nebraska, the pollen counts go up and I react to them. Is there a medication that would help reduce pollen sensitivity and would not interfere with the blood pressure medication which is working quite well in controlling the blood pressure?
Answer: Several medications will help. First, nasal steroid sprays – either aerosol or water based
are excellent preventives. Second, topical cromlyn sulfate(nasalcrom, etc.) either in place of
or in addition to the topical steroids. Third, local eye drops of cromlyn sulfate for eye
irritation. Lastly, check your blood pressure on and off of the antihistamines. Most patients
don’t have a major problem. Use the anti-histamines as a last resort after the above
measures. Desensitization with allergy shots also is helpful but, will take 6 months or so to
be effective. Maybe start these now for next year.
