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- Herbal supplements may not mix with heart medicines
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- High blood pressure dangers: Hypertension's effects on your body
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- 10 ways to control high blood pressure without medication
- Stress and high blood pressure: What's the connection?
- Exercise: A drug-free approach to lowering high blood pressure
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Medications and supplements that can raise your blood pressure
Herbal supplements
The way each herbal supplement increases your blood pressure varies. Remember to tell your doctor about any herbal supplements you take or are thinking about taking, to see if the supplement could raise your blood pressure or interact with blood pressure medications. Examples of herbal supplements that can affect your blood pressure or blood pressure medications include:
- Bitter orange
- Ephedra (ma-huang)
- Ginseng
- Guarana
- Licorice
- St. John's wort
Herbal supplements aren't necessarily safe just because they're natural. Check with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements. You may need to avoid supplements that raise your blood pressure or interfere with your blood pressure medications.
Immunosuppressants
Some immunosuppressants can raise your blood pressure. This may be because of how immunosuppressants can affect your kidneys. Examples of immunosuppressants that can increase your blood pressure include:
- Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
- Methylprednisolone (Medrol)
- Tacrolimus (Prograf)
Have your blood pressure checked regularly. If your blood pressure increases or isn't well controlled, ask your doctor about alternatives to these medications. He or she may recommend lifestyle changes or additional medications to control your high blood pressure.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs can cause you to retain water, creating kidney problems and increasing your blood pressure. Examples of NSAIDs include:
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others)
- Meloxicam (Mobic)
- Naproxen (Naprosyn)
- Naproxen sodium (Aleve)
Have your blood pressure checked regularly. Talk to your doctor about which pain medication is best for you. If you must continue taking an NSAID that increases your blood pressure, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes or additional medication to control your blood pressure.
Stimulants
Stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), can cause your heart to beat faster or irregularly, raising your blood pressure.
Have your blood pressure checked regularly if you take a stimulant. If your blood pressure increases or isn't well controlled, ask your doctor about alternatives to these medications. He or she may recommend lifestyle changes or additional medications to control your high blood pressure.
A caution on illegal drugs
Illegal drugs can raise blood pressure by narrowing the arteries that supply blood to your heart. This increases your heart rate and damages your heart muscle.
Examples of illegal drugs that can affect your heart include:
- Amphetamines, including methamphetamine
- Anabolic steroids
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
If you're using illegal drugs, it's important to stop. Ask your doctor for information on counseling or drug treatment programs.
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- Taubert KA. Can patients with cardiovascular disease take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs? Circulation. 2008;117:322.
- Stimulants. National Institute on Drug Abuse. http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_stim1.php. Accessed July 20, 2010.
- High blood pressure, factors that contribute to. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4650. Accessed July 20, 2010.
- NIDA InfoFacts: Steroids (anabolic-androgenic). National Institute on Drug Abuse. http://drugabuse.gov/PDF/Infofacts/Steroids09.pdf. Accessed July 20, 2010.
- NIDA InfoFacts: Hallucinogens — LSD, peyote, psilocybin, and PCP. National Institute on Drug Abuse. http://drugabuse.gov/pdf/infofacts/Hallucinogens09.pdf. Accessed July 20, 2010.
- Over the counter medications and high blood pressure. American Heart Association. http://216.185.112.5/presenter.jhtml?identifier=580. Accessed July 20, 2010.
- Medication guide for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm088646.pdf. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- High blood pressure and women. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2123. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Atthobari J, et al. The impact of hormonal contraceptives on blood pressure, urinary albumin excretion and glomerular filtration rate. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2007;63:224.
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- Bitter orange. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Licorice. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- St. John's wort. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- Uiterwaal C, et al. Coffee intake and incidence of hypertension. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007;85:718.
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