Medicine Rules: write down your doctor's instructions, ask your pharmacist to repeat instructions clearly, write down what you take and when, take your medicine exactly as prescribed, refill prescription on time, don't skip a dose.

Over-the-counter medicines and supplements

If you take heart medicine or have heart failure, be aware of potential risks from some over-the-counter (non-prescription) medicines and supplements.

Some over-the-counter medicines can interact with heart medicines. If you decide to buy an over-the-counter medication, including herbs and vitamins, tell your pharmacist which heart medicines you are taking. Ask if there is a risk of interaction.
Some over-the-counter products are high in sodium or can cause sodium and fluid retention. If you have heart failure, some cough and cold products can make your heart work harder. Ask your doctor which over-the-counter products are safe for you to take and which ones you should avoid.

The safest cough and cold medicines for you are:

chlorpheniramine (Chlortrimeton�)
guifenesin with dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM�)
loratadine (Claritin�)

Medicines and ingredients you should ask about

These medicines contain stimulants that make your heart work harder. Check with your doctor about whether or not you can take them

pseudoephedrine (Sudafed�, Actifed�, Comtrex�, CoTylenol�, Nyquil�)
phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine�)
ephedrine or any kind of appetite suppressant
natural or herbal products containing ma-huang (ephedrine)

Medicines that are high in sodium:

Vicks Cough Syrup� or Vicks Formula 44�
Alka Seltzer� or Alka Seltzer Pain Relief�
Phospho-Soda�
Fleets Enema�

Medicines that may cause you to retain sodium and fluid:

ibuprofen (Nuprin�, Advil�, Motrin�, and many other anti-inflammatory medicines)
ketoprofen (Orudis KT�, Actron�)
naproxen (Aleve�)
glucocorticoids (prednisone, methylprednisolone)

Complementary medicines

Herbs, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements and natural products may seem harmless because they are "natural." But they may interfere with the work of your prescribed medicines.

Talk with your health care team or your pharmacist before starting a new herbal, vitamin or other alternative medicine therapy.