Blood pressure represents the amount of force the heart has to exert in order to pump blood to the arteries. Blood pressure is considered elevated when readings are greater than 140/90. Hypertension or elevated blood pressure can be controlled with medications. Patients with high blood pressure should avoid certain drugs.
Migraine Headache Medications
Migraine headaches are thought to be caused by dilation of the arteries in the head. Migraine symptoms include severe pain, sensitivity to light and sometimes nausea and vomiting. Medications for migraines constrict the arteries in the head and the rest of the body. Ergotomine or Ergomar is a common medication used in migraine treatment. According to Drugs.com, patients who have high blood pressure or other heart problems should not use this medication. Ergomar is known to interfere with beta blockers, a common class of medications prescribed for high blood pressure. Imitrex or sumatriptan is another migraine medication that causes narrowing of the arteries and should be avoided in uncontrolled high blood pressure.
NSAIDS
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, Advil, naproxyn and medications for colds and flu that contain NSAIDS should be avoided. Using NSAIDS can cause patients to retain fluid, which can elevate the blood pressure. Patients with high blood pressure are at risk for kidney disease due to the narrowing of the small arteries in the kidneys. Chronic NSAID use can further diminish kidney function. While there are no specific drug interactions listed for these medications, patients with high blood pressure should talk to their doctors prior to using them.
Decongestants
Some decongestants contain medications called pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylephrine. These ingredients are commonly mixed with NSAIDS in over-the-counter medications for colds and flu. Pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylephrine work by causing constriction of the blood vessels. They also elevate the heart rate in most people. Vasoconstriction causes high blood pressure and increasing the heart rate stresses the heart. These medications, when used in the elderly, can cause hallucinations, confusion and seizures. The elderly are more likely to see an increase in their blood pressure when using these medications. It is important for patients with high blood pressure to know what is in the over-the-counter medication prior to using it. Patients should talk to their doctor or pharmacist prior to taking over-the-counter cold and flu medications.
