Which class of decongestants may raise blood pressure and should be used with caution in people with uncontrolled hypertension or angle-closure glaucoma?

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Multiple Choice

Which class of decongestants may raise blood pressure and should be used with caution in people with uncontrolled hypertension or angle-closure glaucoma?

Explanation:
Systemic stimulant decongestants raise blood pressure because they stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors, causing vasoconstriction and increased peripheral vascular resistance. They can also cause pupil dilation, which in people with narrow angles can precipitate angle-closure glaucoma. For this reason, they should be used with caution or avoided in individuals with uncontrolled hypertension or angle-closure glaucoma. Non-stimulant decongestants like oxymetazoline are topical and mainly produce local effects with less systemic blood pressure impact, while antihistamines and nasal saline do not carry the same cardiovascular or glaucoma risk profile.

Systemic stimulant decongestants raise blood pressure because they stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors, causing vasoconstriction and increased peripheral vascular resistance. They can also cause pupil dilation, which in people with narrow angles can precipitate angle-closure glaucoma. For this reason, they should be used with caution or avoided in individuals with uncontrolled hypertension or angle-closure glaucoma.

Non-stimulant decongestants like oxymetazoline are topical and mainly produce local effects with less systemic blood pressure impact, while antihistamines and nasal saline do not carry the same cardiovascular or glaucoma risk profile.

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