Many nonprescription medicines and prescription medicines can make symptoms of heart failure worse and react with other medicines that you are taking for heart failure. Take this list with you to your next visit with your doctor. Write down the information so you will know which medicines to avoid. Post this list in a place where you can refer to it as you need to. Review this list with your doctor regularly.
Note: Always check with your doctor before taking any additional medicines, prescription or nonprescription. This includes any herbal or "natural" supplements.
Medicines to avoid include:
- Nonprescription medicines that are high in sodium, such as Alka-Seltzer.
- Antibiotics, if they contain sodium (ask your doctor to name some).
- Antacids.
- Stool softeners, if they contain sodium.
- Anti-inflammatory medicines.
- Cold remedies that contain pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, or oxymetazoline.
Ask your doctor whether there are any other medicines, herbs, or natural supplements that you need to avoid.
Credits
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Associate Editor | Terrina Vail |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology |
| Last Updated | September 1, 2006 |
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