Table: Chronic Disorders and Over-the-Counter Drugs - Merck Manuals Consumer Version

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Chronic Disorders and Over-the-Counter Drugs

Chronic Disorders and Over-the-Counter Drugs

Disorder	OTC Drugs	Precautions
Alcoholism Alcohol Alcohol (ethanol) is a depressant. Consuming large amounts rapidly or regularly can cause health problems, including organ damage, coma, and death. Genetics and personal characteristics may... read more	Cold remedies	Recovering alcoholics need to be vigilant about avoiding any products that contain alcohol, including cold remedies. Some products contain as much as 25% alcohol.
Diabetes Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough or respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar (glucose) levels to be abnormally high. Urination and thirst are... read more	Decongestants	People with diabetes should consult a doctor before they take decongestants because these drugs can worsen diabetes and have dangerous side effects.
	Cough syrups	People with diabetes may need help locating liquid products that do not contain sugar, cough syrups included.
Enlarged prostate Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous (benign) enlargement of the prostate gland that can make urination difficult. The prostate gland enlarges as men age. Men may have difficulty... read more	Antihistamines Decongestants	People with an enlarged prostate should consult a doctor or pharmacist before they take antihistamines and decongestants because side effects can be dangerous.
Glaucoma Glaucoma Glaucomas are a group of eye disorders characterized by progressive optic nerve damage (often, but not always, associated with increased eye pressure) that can lead to irreversible loss of vision... read more	Antihistamines Decongestants	Taking an antihistamine or decongestant can complicate certain types of glaucoma.
Heart disease	Antacids Cold remedies Analgesics	People with heart disease should consult a doctor or pharmacist to help them select an antacid or cold remedy that does not interact with their prescription drugs. Certain analgesics such as NSAIDs may worsen heart failure.
	Decongestants	People with heart disease should consult a doctor or pharmacist before they take decongestants because side effects can be dangerous.
High blood pressure High Blood Pressure High blood pressure (hypertension) is persistently high pressure in the arteries. Often no cause for high blood pressure can be identified, but sometimes it occurs as a result of an underlying... read more (hypertension)	Analgesics Antacids	People with high blood pressure should consult a doctor or pharmacist before they select an analgesic or antacid.
	Decongestants	People with high blood pressure should consult a doctor or pharmacist before they take decongestants because side effects can be dangerous.
Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism is overactivity of the thyroid gland that leads to high levels of thyroid hormones and speeding up of vital body functions. Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism... read more (over activity of the thyroid gland)	Decongestants	People with hyperthyroidism should consult a doctor or pharmacist before they take decongestants because side effects can be dangerous.
Kidney disorders	Antacids NSAIDs	People with kidney disorders should consult a doctor or pharmacist before they select an antacid or use an NSAID.
NSAIDs = nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; OTC = over-the-counter.