Thyroid Disease Living With What Thyroid Patients Need to Know About Decongestants Certain cold and flu drugs can pose risks if you have thyroid disease By Mary Shomon Mary Shomon Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Mary Shomon is a writer and hormonal health and thyroid advocate. She is the author of "The Thyroid Diet Revolution." Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 04, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Do-Eun Lee, MD Medically reviewed by Do-Eun Lee, MD LinkedIn Do-Eun Lee, MD, has been practicing medicine for more than 20 years, and specializes in diabetes, thyroid issues and general endocrinology. She currently has a private practice in Lafayette, CA. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print There's no cure for the common cold or for its more serious sister illness, seasonal flu. But there are plenty of over-the-counter (OTC) medications for treating the nasal congestion that's a major symptom of these viral illnesses. Most decongestants are safe and effective for the majority of folks who take them, but for those with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), some can do more harm than good. Decongestants and Heart Health Several types of decongestants work by causing the blood vessels in the linings of the nasal passages to contract and narrow. This decreases blood flow to the lining of the nose and sinuses, thereby reducing congestion and the production of mucus. The catch is, this effect isn't limited to nasal passages: Blood vessels throughout the body are affected, which can be dangerous for someone with a thyroid condition. That's because both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can affect the heart and circulatory system. Pseudoephedrine can strain an already overtaxed heart or further increase high blood pressure, worsening two common issues related to hyperthyroidism. The decongestant most likely to be problematic is pseudoephedrine, which is sold not only as a single-ingredient medication, but is found in multi-symptom cold, flu, and allergy remedies as well. (Note that because pseudoephedrine has been used illegally to make methamphetamine, it is sold from behind the pharmacy counter.) Less potentially problematic, but still important to be aware of, is phenylephrine. These decongestants show up in many products, and some brands have products that contain both ingredients; it's important to read labels so that you know what you're taking. These lists represent a small sample of the many OTC medications that have pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine alone or in combination with other ingredients. Common Medications With Psuedoephedrine Advil Cold and Sinus Alavert Allergy and Sinus D-12 Aleve-D Sinus and Cold Allegra-D Claritin-D Mucinex D Sudafed 12/24 Hour Sudafed Congestion Theraflu Max-D Severe Cold and Flu Tylenol Sinus Severe Congestion Daytime Common Medications With Phenylephrine Actifed Cold and Allergy Advil Congestion Relief Alka-Seltzer Plus Benedryl-D Allergy Plus Sinus Excedrin Sinus Headache Robitussin Cough and Cold CF Sudafed PE Theraflu Triaminic Tylenol Allergy Multisymptom Vicks DayQuil Phenylephrine is also the active ingredient in nasal sprays for treating decongestion. Although the drug is targeted to blood vessels in the lining of the nose, experts don't know for sure that it won't affect vessels throughout the body, so you should check with your healthcare provider before using a nasal spray (such as Neo-Synephrine) if you have hyperthyroidism. The same may be true for nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline. These include: Afrin Anefrin Dristan Mucinex Nostrilla Vicks Sinex Zicam Interactions With Thyroid Medications Hypothyroidism is managed with a synthetic form of thyroxine (T4) called levothyroxine, available under the brand names Synthroid or Levothroid. People may be at increased risk of cardiovascular side effects if they take pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine and levothyroxine. This could be especially dangerous for someone who has preexisting heart disease. An Overview of Levothyroxine Regardless of the type of thyroid disorder you have, whether you take medication to treat it, or happen to have a heart condition as well, it's best to err on the side of caution before taking a decongestant for a cold or flu and speak with your healthcare provider. Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell Alternatives to Decongestants Of course, there are things you can do to relieve nasal congestion from a cold or flu without medication: Try a nasal dilator that widens nasal passages, such as Breathe Right strips. Rinse your sinuses with a sterile saline solution (using a neti pot). Use a saline spray or drops to thin mucus and make it easier to expel when you blow your nose. Run a humidifier in the room where you spend the most time. Take a warm shower or sit in the bathroom with the shower running hot enough to steam up the room. Try eating spicy foods (peppers, ginger, turmeric, and garlic); these can open up the nasal passages. Try an essential oil spray containing peppermint, eucalyptus, oregano, or rosemary. Acupuncture and acupressure may also help relieve congestion. If none of these strategies work, check with your healthcare provider to find out if there are other ways to get relief. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Losing weight with thyroid disease can be a struggle. Our thyroid-friendly meal plan can help. Sign up and get yours free! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Harvard Medical School Harvard Health Publishing. Don't let decongestants squeeze your heart. Razvi S, Jabbar A, Pingitore A, et al. Thyroid hormones and cardiovascular function and diseases. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2018;71(16):1781-1796. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.02.045 Sur DK, Plesa ML. Treatment of allergic rhinitis. American Family Physician. 2015;92(11):985-92. MedlinePlus. Oxymetazoline nasal spray. Cleveland Clinic. Nasal congestion: care and treatment. Ben-Arye E, Dudai N, Eini A, et. al. Treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in primary care: a randomized study using aromatic herbs. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:690346. doi:10.1155/2011/690346 Lei RL, Lin WC, Lin CC, et.al. Effects of Acupressure on Symptoms Relief and Improving Sleep Quality in Pediatric Patients With Allergic Rhinitis.[published online ahead of print, 2020 Apr 1]. Holist Nurs Pract. 2020;10.1097/HNP.0000000000000377. doi:10.1097/HNP.0000000000000377