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Thursday, October 23, 2008 Robert Barry asks

Q: Is there a connection between Benadryl and hypertension?

Looking for connection between Benadryl and hypertension? Asked a while back and only one response, but no real anecdotal information linking the two.  Plenty of hypotension, are there any MDs out there with pt's who have rising BP seemingly connected to benadryl use?

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10/28/08 12:07pm

I am neither an M D nor a health care provider but I would like to share with you my experience with Benadryl causing severe hypertension in myself. I am a 43 year old female with high blood pressure. I have been taking Enalipril/HCTZ for the past seven years with great results. This past spring I suddenly developed allergies to grass, mold, and pet dander. My primary doctor told me to treat this with OTC Benadryl. For a while it seemed to be working well. After about a month the effect was not as good. Without my doctors knowledge I increased the dosage until I got the desired effect. After a week or so I began to experience heart palpitations, tremors in my hands, and blurred vision. I immediately went to see my doctor. My blood pressure was taken and was 180/102. My doctor told me to stop taking the Benadryl and find a different antihistamine. Nothing worked nearly as well as the Benadryl, so I began taking it again. This time on the recommended dose I started having the same symptons as before. I had my BP checked and once again it was high. Although not as high as it had been before, it was 164/90.  needless to say I immediately stopped taking it and just put up with my allergies for the rest of the season. My BP is back to normal, being controlled with my medication.

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