Reviewer: Huang Zhaoqi (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University)
When you take medication for high blood pressure, one of the goals is to make sure the medication is working effectively.
One of the steps to achieve this goal is to avoid certain medications. These drugs may cause the following problems:
Some medicines can raise blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure while taking these drugs, these drugs can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels.
Some drugs can interact with blood pressure medications. This may prevent both drugs from working properly.
Here are common medications that can make high blood pressure worse.
1. NSAIDs and Hypertension
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include prescription and over-the-counter medicines and are often used to reduce pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis.
However, NSAIDs can cause fluid retention and reduce kidney function. This can cause blood pressure to rise even higher, putting more pressure on the heart and kidneys.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
Common NSAIDs include:
Aspirin;
ibuprofen;
Naproxen.
You can also find over-the-counter NSAIDs for other health problems. For example, cold medicines often contain NSAIDs.
It is recommended to check the label for NSAIDs when purchasing over-the-counter medicines. Ask your doctor if you can use certain NSAIDs.
Your doctor may recommend alternative medicines, such as acetaminophen instead of ibuprofen.
2. Blood pressure and cough and cold medicine
Many cough and cold medicines contain NSAIDs for pain relief. 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 increase heart rate.
Decongestants can prevent blood pressure medications from working properly.
What can you do? Avoid cough and cold medicines that contain NSAIDs or decongestants.
Ask your doctor for additional advice on relieving symptoms of cold, flu, or sinus disease.
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3. Migraine medication and blood pressure
Some migraine medications work by constricting blood vessels in the brain, which can relieve migraine headaches. However, the drug can also constrict blood vessels throughout your body.
This raises blood pressure, possibly to dangerous levels.
If you have high blood pressure or other types of heart disease, talk to your doctor before taking medication for migraine or severe headaches.
Four diet pills can also increase blood pressure
Some diet pills may make heart disease worse. Appetite suppressants have a tendency to “wake up” the body, increasing the heart rate and blood pressure at the same time.
And when blood pressure rises, your heart is under more stress.
Before using any weight loss medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, always consult your doctor. These medicines may do more harm than good to you.
Five, more suggestions for avoiding medication problems
Make sure any medication you choose is safe for people with high blood pressure. The following suggestions can help:
Inform each doctor at your visit of all medicines you take (including doses), both prescription and over-the-counter.
Read the drug label before buying an over-the-counter drug. Make sure your medicines do not contain ingredients that can make high blood pressure worse, such as NSAIDs or decongestants.
Consult your doctor before using any over-the-counter medicines, herbal preparations, vitamins or other nutritional supplements. Ask your doctor to find alternative medicines that are not harmful to you.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
*The content of this article is for the popularization of health knowledge. It cannot be used as a specific diagnosis and treatment recommendation, nor can it replace the face-to-face consultation of a licensed physician. It is for reference only.
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