A pharmacist has explained why people with a common health condition might be advised not to take decongestants. Talking to the Mirror , Pharmica's Superintendent Pharmacist Carolina Goncalves explained: " You can take decongestants for the flu, but consider your health conditions first. "Medications such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine reduce nasal swelling by narrowing blood vessels in the nasal passages, easing congestion. However, they also raise blood pressure and heart rate due to