Reviewed by: Huang Zhaoqi (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University)
When you take medications to treat high blood pressure, one of the goals is to make sure the medications work effectively.
One of the steps to achieve that goal is to avoid taking certain medications. These medications can cause the following problems:
Some medications can raise blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure while taking these medications, then these medications can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels.
Some drugs can interact with antihypertensive drugs. This may prevent both drugs from working properly.
The following are common medications that can make high blood pressure worse.
1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hypertension
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include prescription and over-the-counter medications, often used to alleviate pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis.
However, NSAIDs can cause fluid retention and reduce kidney function. This causes blood pressure to rise higher, putting more stress on the heart and kidneys.
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Common NSAIDs include:
Aspirin;
ibuprofen;
Naprosson.
You can also find over-the-counter NSAIDs for other health issues. For example, cold medicines often contain NSAIDs.
It is recommended to check the label for NSAIDs when purchasing over-the-counter drugs. Ask your doctor if you can use certain NSAIDs.
Doctors may recommend alternative medications, such as acetaminophen instead of ibuprofen.
2. Blood pressure and cough and cold medicine
Many cough and cold medicines contain NSAIDs to relieve pain. NSAIDs may raise blood pressure. Cough and cold medicines also often contain decongestants.
Decongestants can worsen blood pressure in two ways:
Decongestants raise blood pressure and speed up heart rate.
Decongestants can prevent antihypertensive drugs from functioning properly.
What can you do? Avoid cough and cold medicines that contain NSAIDs or decongestants.
Ask your doctor for other advice on relieving symptoms of a cold, flu, or sinus disease.
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3. Migraine drugs and blood pressure
Certain migraine medications work by constricting blood vessels in the brain, which relieves migraines. However, the drug can also constrict the blood vessels throughout your body.
This raises blood pressure, which can rise to dangerous levels.
If you have high blood pressure or other types of heart disease, consult your doctor before taking medication to treat migraines or severe headaches.
Fourth, diet pills can also raise blood pressure
Certain diet pills may make heart disease worse. Appetite suppressants have a tendency to "wake up" the body, which will increase heart rate and raise blood pressure at the same time.
When your blood pressure rises, your heart puts more stress.
Always consult a doctor before using any diet pills, whether prescription or over-the-counter. These drugs can do more harm than good to you.
Fifth, more suggestions to avoid drug problems
Make sure that any medication you choose is safe for people with high blood pressure. The following suggestions can help:
Inform each doctor at the time of your visit about all medications (including dosages), both prescription and over-the-counter.
Before buying an over-the-counter drug, read the drug label. Make sure that the medication does not contain ingredients that can worsen high blood pressure, such as NSAIDs or decongestants.
Consult your physician before using any over-the-counter medications, herbal preparations, vitamins, or other nutritional supplements. Ask your doctor to find an alternative medicine that is harmless to you.
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*The content of this article is a popularization of health knowledge and cannot be used as a specific diagnosis and treatment recommendation, nor is it a substitute for face-to-face consultation by a practicing physician, for reference only.
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