Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition that affects the blood vessels and heart. High blood pressure can also lead to strokes, heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. Some medications can increase blood pressure, making hypertension worse and causing serious consequences.
Decongestants
Anyone who has hypertension should avoid taking nasal decongestants. These drugs can affect blood pressure levels in two ways. Decongestants can cause high blood pressure levels, or they can interfere with medications used to control hypertension. Cold and flu medications often contain nasal decongestants, so it's important to read product labels and understand which ingredients to avoid. Nasal decongestant ingredients to avoid include pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline and xylometazoline.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are used to treat autoimmune diseases, asthma and other inflammatory disorders. These drugs work to reduce inflammation and control pain, but there are several potential side effects. One of the side effects of corticosteroids is increased blood pressure. Examples of corticosteroids include betamethasone, prednisone and dexamethasone.
Weight Loss Drugs
Weight loss drugs can serve one or more purposes. Some weight loss drugs act as appetite suppressants, which help to decrease the amount of food that is consumed. Other weight loss drugs boost metabolism so that more calories are burned while performing physical activities. Weight loss drugs that speed up the metabolism also increase heart rate, which can lead to increased blood pressure. Avoid weight loss drugs that can be purchased without a prescription.
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to control inflammation. Salicylates, COX-2 inhibitors and traditional NSAIDs are all classified as NSAIDs. Increased blood pressure is a known side effect of NSAIDs. These drugs can also interfere with medications used to treat high blood pressure. Do not take NSAIDs without consulting a medical professional. Examples of NSAIDs to avoid include ibuprofen, naproxen and indomethacin.
Migraine Medications
Migraine medications are used to treat migraines that occur with and without aura, which is the set of visual disturbances that can sometimes accompany this type of headache. Some migraine medications work by causing constriction of the blood vessels. This eases the migraine symptoms, but it can also increase blood pressure. When the blood vessels constrict, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the blood vessels. This contributes to high blood pressure levels. Avoid migraine medications that contain ergotamine, which constricts smooth muscles and the muscles of the blood vessels.
Hormonal Contraceptives
Hormonal contraceptives, particularly those containing estrogen, are associated with increased blood pressure levels. The American Heart Association indicates that the risk of developing high blood pressure while on hormonal contraceptives increases in overweight women, women with a family history of blood pressure, women with kidney disease and women who had high blood pressure while they were pregnant. If women who use hormonal contraceptives also smoke, the risk for high blood pressure increases even further.
