Both allow vapours to go into the nose to relieve congestion. The combination of influenza or chicken pox and ASA is linked to Reye s syndrome, a rare but serious condition affecting the brain and liver. ASA should not be used during the last 3 months of pregnancy as it may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery. This allows the baby to breathe easier. Antihistamines should not be used in children under 2 years old.
Oral decongestants can cause an increase in blood pressure.
Additionally, the use of cough suppressants can mask the aggravation of asthma symptoms, which are often characterized by cough. Consult your pharmacist or physician before using cough suppressants . Although decongestants such as pseudoephedrine are considered safe, antihistamines are not recommended unless it is for the control of allergy symptoms. In cold remedies, antihistamines are added for their drying effects and therefore for the treatment of runny nose symptoms. Unfortunately, this same drying effect can also dry mucous secretions in the bronchials and lungs which is a counter productive and dangerous effect for asthmatics.