Medications: Are They Raising Your Blood Pressure?

Medications are by nature, designed to help people and reduce symptoms, or make a person's condition better. The pharmaceutical companies have good intentions, and by in large, the medications can be a life saver. However, due to some of the ingredients that some medications include, side effects occur and the people taking the medications are forced to take the good with the bad. People have to decide whether the effects of the medication outweigh the side effects. Many medications, however, can cause increases in blood pressure and have been known to be fairly problematic, as increased blood pressure can cause a wide array of problems. Some people are better equipped to handle blood pressure increases than others, but anyone with increases in blood pressure should consider seeking medical attention to rule out a serious problem. The following medications are the most up to date information on the list of pharmaceuticals that may increase risk of blood pressure at the time of publication, but medications are constantly being added and dropped from the list, and a pharmacist should always be consulted as the final step.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids, such as Prednisone, methylprednisolone, and hydrocortisone are known for their serious increases in blood pressure. These medications were originally used to help with the pain and discomfort of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), but are now used for a variety of other health problems. The other health problems treated by corticosteroids include asthma, skin rashes and rheumatoid arthritis. Corticosteroids are medications for health purposes, and should not be confused with steroids used for weight training.

Estrogens and Birth Control Pills

Estrogens and birth control pills are known for raising blood pressure significantly, and are sometimes even associated with strokes or other dangerous blood pressure related problems. Estrogen is used frequently in hormone replacement therapies, and should be used in very low doses, in terms of blood pressure risks. Birth control pills have had their fair share of problems in the past, but the companies are definitely working to create a pill that protects against pregnancy and is safest use.

Migraine Medications

Migraine medications are very effective for reducing severe headaches, but they also have other problems that come with the benefits. Migraine medications like Imitrex are designed to reduce headaches because they are vasoconstrictors. Vasoconstrictors make it very difficult for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body, because vasoconstrictors constrict the blood vessels in the body. The harder the heart has to work, the higher the blood pressure goes.

Erythropoietin

This medication is used to correct anemia from chronic diseases such as kidney failure, cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The anemia is often a more serious concern, and thus the blood pressure concerns come second. If blood pressure becomes an issue, there are medications to correct that.

Nasal Decongestants, Cough and Cold Medications and Asthma Medications

All of these medications are used to treat common inconveniences, but the side effects are seldom considered. Nasal decongestants are effective because they are vasoconstrictors, but they make the heart work harder to pump blood into the circulatory system. Cough and cold medications often contain ephedra and caffeine, both having an effect on the heart and blood pressure. Asthma medications typically include adrenaline boosting ingredients and the body's natural response to an increase in adrenaline is to raise blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure Reducing Medications

This may be the most important and most dangerous medication to cause blood pressure increases. It is not when the patient is taking them, it is when they stop. Because the body gets used to the medication, a sudden drop or cessation of them can cause the body to go into shock, and raise the blood pressure to a dangerously high level. Blood pressure medications and dosages should never be changed without the direction of a physician. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000155.htm www.ccfa.org/info/treatment/corticosteroids