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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
Researchers aren't sure why some immunosuppressants raise some people's blood pressure, but they think it may relate to the way immunosuppressants can affect your kidneys. Examples of immunosuppressants that can increase your blood pressure include:
- Cyclosporine (Neoral)
- Cyclosporine (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 illicit drugs
Illicit 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 illicit drugs that can affect your heart include:
- Amphetamines, including methamphetamine
- Anabolic steroids
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
If you're using illicit drugs, it's important to stop. Ask your doctor if you need information on counseling or drug treatment programs.
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- Chan AT, et al. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and the risk of cardiovascular events. Circulation. 2006;13(12):1578-1587.
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- High blood pressure causes. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4603. Accessed Sept. 8, 2008.
- NIDA InfoFacts: Steroids (anabolic-androgenic). National Institute on Drug Abuse. http://www.nida.nih.gov/PDF/Infofacts/Steroids08.pdf. Accessed Sept. 8, 2008.
- NIDA InfoFacts: Hallucinogens - LSD, peyote, psilocybin, and PCP. National Institute on Drug Abuse. http://www.nida.nih.gov/pdf/infofacts/Hallucinogens08.pdf. Accessed Sept. 8, 2008.
- Cold and flu medication for people with high blood pressure. American Heart Association. http://216.185.112.5/presenter.jhtml?identifier=580 Accessed Sept. 8, 2008.
- Consumer information sheet: Meloxicam (marketed as Mobic). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginfo/mobic.htm Accessed Sept. 8, 2008.
- Birth control pills. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.healthywomen.org/healthtopics/birthcontrolpills#. Accessed Sept. 5, 2008.
- Very-low-dose birth control pills for perimenopausal women. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/326.xml. Accessed Sept. 5, 2008.
- Herbal products supplements and side effects. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/PreBuilt/otc_herbs_sideeffects.pdf. Accessed Sept. 8, 2008.
- Bitter orange. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com/(S(hnsa3245paqmir45icv3vh45))/nd/Search.aspx?cs=MAYO&s=ND&pt=100&id=976&ds=&name=BITTER+ORANGE. Accessed Sept. 5, 2008.
- Licorice. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com/(S(0vz4i155u23x3qz3cgxjwy55))/nd/Search.aspx?li=1&st=2&cs=MAYO&s=ND&pt=100&id=881&fs=ND&searchid=1215400. Accessed Sept. 5, 2008.
- St. John's wort. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com/(S(0vz4i155u23x3qz3cgxjwy55))/nd/Search.aspx?li=1&st=2&cs=MAYO&s=ND&pt=100&id=329&fs=ND&searchid=1215418. Accessed Sept. 5, 2008.
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- Hess AM, et al. Potential for toxicity with use of bitter orange extract and guarana for weight loss. Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 2005;39(3):574-575.
