For instance, Advil and Aleve may raise blood pressure along with some antacids and other commonly used drugs.
Talk with your healthcare provider before taking any over-the-counter medication or supplements.
This article looks at common drug types that can raise blood pressure.
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Long-term use of NSAIDs has also been linked to changes in kidney function.
The kidneys play a key role in blood pressure regulation.
Ask your healthcare provider about pain-relief options that may be safer for you.
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What Is the Safest Pain Reliever?
All NSAIDs, except for aspirin, are linked to a higher risk of heart problems.
Aspirin is an option but it increases the risk of bleeding, so it’s not for everyone.
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In addition,acetaminophenis another popular pain reliever.
They do this by constricting blood vessels in your nose and sinuses.
That opens airways and makes you feel less stuffed up from colds or allergies.
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Most decongestants contain either:
Those are both stimulants known to increase blood pressure.
When used short-term, decongestants are largely safe and effective.
But overuse may raise blood pressure and undermine your treatment.
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Look for non-stimulant decongestants, which may be just as effective for certain nasal conditions.
Each has a different blend of similar ingredients.
These include:
Constricted blood vessels and fluid retention are effects of these drugs when taken together.
They can cause short-term blood pressure increases and make your treatment less effective.
Blood vessel constriction is a common side effect of these products.
They often have a larger effect on women who smoke, are overweight, or are over age 35.
Oral contraceptives with lower-dose estrogen may have lesser effects on blood pressure.
Increased Monitoring
Not all women are affected by hormonal birth control.
But if you have hypertension, your healthcare provider will likely want to monitor you closely.
Ideally, you should get checked every six to 12 months.
They include:
These drugs increase your levels of adrenaline and other stimulating hormones.
That can increase blood pressure.
Dopamine is even used in emergencies to raise critically low blood pressure.
Use care with NSAIDs, decongestants,combination cold and flu medicines, hormonal birth control, and antidepressants.
2019 May;124(5):629-641. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13182
Harvard Health Publishing.Heart-safer NSAID alternatives.
2017;38(44):3282-3292. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehx508
American Academy of Family Physicians.Decongestants: OTC relief for congestion.
American Heart Association.High blood pressure and women.
Calvi A, Fischetti I, Verzicco I, et al.Antidepressant drugs effects on blood pressure.Front Cardiovasc Med.
2022;10(4):39576.
Published 2022 Nov 3. doi:10.52965/001c.39576
