PharmD Info

[Balamurugan]

I am a 42 year old male who was diagnosed with hypertension recently . I have been taking certain non-prescription drugs for pain relief along with my current medications. I have a doubt whether they will worsen my condition. Will any drugs cause hypertension?

[Naghul adhithya k s]

Chemical substances and medicines that can cause high blood pressure include:

Acetaminophen

Alcohol, amphetamines, ecstasy (MDMA and derivatives), and cocaine

Angiogenesis inhibitors (including tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies)

Antidepressants (including venlafaxine, bupropion, and desipramine)

Caffeine (including the caffeine in coffee and energy drinks)

Corticosteroids

Cyclosporine

Ephedra and many other herbal products

Erythropoietin

Estrogens (including birth control pills)

Immunosuppressants

Many over-the-counter medicines such as cough/cold and asthma medicines, particularly when the cough/cold medicine is taken with certain antidepressants, such as

Tranylcypromine or tricyclics

Migraine medicines

Nasal decongestants

Nicotine

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Testosterone and other anabolic steroids and performance-enhancing drugs