Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Severe Heart Palpitations, Anxiety And Hypertension After Having Promethazine?
Question: I had taken theraflu severe cold, and about two hours later , had taken a dose of promethazine DM. several hours later, was noticing I was feeling sort of panicky, increased pulse, and just anxious. Feeling lasted for some time. I then took my blood pressure in between practicing deep breathing , which was helpful. My bp readings were very high, for several hours. I took an aspirin, am drinking water, and will maybe have a glass of wine, or 0.5mg tab ativan. Any suggestions?
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I would explain that your symtoms may be related to theraflu intake. From the other hand promethazine DM can interact with phenilephrine, which is contained in theraflu and possible cause high blood pressure, increased anxiety and cardiac arrhythmia.
What are your actual blood pressure and heart rate values?
Are you taking any antihypertensive therapy?
I recommend some bed rest, taking plenty of water (to stimulate the diuresis, and thus the excretion of these drugs)and 0.25mg ativan. Ativan may increase sedation, but will help with your blood pressure and all this situation.
I would not recommend taking wine in this clinical situation, as it may interact with most of the medicines contained in the drugs you have taken.
Hope to have been of help!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I would explain that your symtoms may be related to theraflu intake. From the other hand promethazine DM can interact with phenilephrine, which is contained in theraflu and possible cause high blood pressure, increased anxiety and cardiac arrhythmia.
What are your actual blood pressure and heart rate values?
Are you taking any antihypertensive therapy?
I recommend some bed rest, taking plenty of water (to stimulate the diuresis, and thus the excretion of these drugs)and 0.25mg ativan. Ativan may increase sedation, but will help with your blood pressure and all this situation.
I would not recommend taking wine in this clinical situation, as it may interact with most of the medicines contained in the drugs you have taken.
Hope to have been of help!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you Dr for the quick response. I do not have insurance at the moment, and i am thankful you did not insist on trip the ER. At the peak of the "panic" i was experiencing, my numbers were awful. 184/117, hr 118, of course causing more anxiety, I put away all stressors, phone, radio, tv, just practiced deep breathing and while it was helpful with reducing panic and eased my labored breathing, the bp was labile for hours between 181/126 - 163/111, many hours later, its 155/105. I am a fairly new hospice nurse LVN, managing stressful situations is routine.
Brief Answer:
I would advise as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Your blood pressure values are still over the normal limits.
What is your actual antihypertensive therapy? Have you suffered from high blood pressure before? Are you taking any medications for this purpose.
I would recommend having a lot of rest, avoiding caffeine intake and even theraflu in the next hours.
You should closely monitor your blood pressure different times during the day.
If they are above the normal ranges most of the time, you should discuss with your doctor the possibility of starting antihypertensive therapy or making changes to your actual therapy (if you already have one).
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
I would advise as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Your blood pressure values are still over the normal limits.
What is your actual antihypertensive therapy? Have you suffered from high blood pressure before? Are you taking any medications for this purpose.
I would recommend having a lot of rest, avoiding caffeine intake and even theraflu in the next hours.
You should closely monitor your blood pressure different times during the day.
If they are above the normal ranges most of the time, you should discuss with your doctor the possibility of starting antihypertensive therapy or making changes to your actual therapy (if you already have one).
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
