Excess weight and obesity are significant risk factors for developing high blood pressure or hypertension. According to the Centers for Disease Control or CDC, obesity may be the cause of hypertension in about 30 percent of hypertensive adults and about 60 percent of hypertensive men over the age of 45. These figures for obesity-associated hypertension may be as high as 78 percent for men and 64 percent of women and depend on other factors such as age and race, says the CDC. Individuals with high blood pressure who use weight loss medications need to use caution when selecting these drugs as some may cause a further increase in blood pressure, leading to health problems.
Prescription Medications
Of the several medications approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for weight loss, orlistat does not cause an increase in blood pressure and may be used by individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease. Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor and works by preventing fat from being absorbed in the intestines, says the National Institutes of Health, or NIH. It can be used long-term in adults for up to one year.
OTC Medications
Alli is the over-the-counter and less potent version of the prescription medicine orlistat. According to the Mayo Clinic.com, Alli has a similar mechanism of action as orlistat but it reportedly causes less weight loss than the prescription version. Weight loss estimates are about 2 lb. more than with diet and exercise alone, Mayo Clinic.com reports.
Side Effects
Most of the more common side effects of lipase inhibitors affecting the gastrointestinal system are mild and short-lived but may worsen with high fat consumption. Typical side effects include cramping, gas, diarrhea and oily stools. Liver problems may also occur but are rare.
Considerations
As lipase inhibitors decrease the uptake of certain vitamins from the intestine, multivitamin supplements are suggested to prevent a deficiency. Multivitamins should be taken at least 2 hours before the lipase inhibitor. These medicines increase the risk of gallstones and this should be checked if serious side effects occur. A diet of not more than 30 percent of calories from fat will help ease side effects.
