If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), you need to be aware of how popular over-the-counter (OTC) medications can affect it. For instance, Advil and Aleve may raise blood pressure along with some antacids and other commonly used drugs.While you may be successfully controlling your blood pressure with diet oranti-hypertension medication, certain drugs can throw off your blood pressure reading. 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. It also discusses what they’re typically used to treat and what you can try instead.Here’s How to Interpret Your Blood Pressure Chart
If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), you need to be aware of how popular over-the-counter (OTC) medications can affect it. For instance, Advil and Aleve may raise blood pressure along with some antacids and other commonly used drugs.
While you may be successfully controlling your blood pressure with diet oranti-hypertension medication, certain drugs can throw off your blood pressure reading. 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. It also discusses what they’re typically used to treat and what you can try instead.
Here’s How to Interpret Your Blood Pressure Chart
1Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugsfrankieleon / Flickr / CC BY 2.0Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)are among the most popular over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in the world. They’re used to:Treat headachesReduce feverAt higher doses, alleviate pain and inflammationOTC NSAIDs include:Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen)Aleve, Naprosyn (naproxen)While NSAIDs are typically safe, prolonged use can raise your blood pressure. There’s research evidence that finds NSAIDs may increase cardiovascular risks, like heart attack and stroke, in some people.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.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.In addition,acetaminophenis another popular pain reliever. However, it may also raise blood pressure.Work with your healthcare provider to discuss options for pain management and safe pain relief medications.Advil and Aleve: What’s the Difference?
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Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugsfrankieleon / Flickr / CC BY 2.0Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)are among the most popular over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in the world. They’re used to:Treat headachesReduce feverAt higher doses, alleviate pain and inflammationOTC NSAIDs include:Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen)Aleve, Naprosyn (naproxen)While NSAIDs are typically safe, prolonged use can raise your blood pressure. There’s research evidence that finds NSAIDs may increase cardiovascular risks, like heart attack and stroke, in some people.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.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.In addition,acetaminophenis another popular pain reliever. However, it may also raise blood pressure.Work with your healthcare provider to discuss options for pain management and safe pain relief medications.Advil and Aleve: What’s the Difference?
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
frankieleon / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)are among the most popular over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in the world. They’re used to:
OTC NSAIDs include:
While NSAIDs are typically safe, prolonged use can raise your blood pressure. There’s research evidence that finds NSAIDs may increase cardiovascular risks, like heart attack and stroke, in some people.
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.
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.In addition,acetaminophenis another popular pain reliever. However, it may also raise blood pressure.Work with your healthcare provider to discuss options for pain management and safe pain relief medications.
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.In addition,acetaminophenis another popular pain reliever. However, it may also raise blood pressure.Work with your healthcare provider to discuss options for pain management and safe pain relief medications.
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.
In addition,acetaminophenis another popular pain reliever. However, it may also raise blood pressure.Work with your healthcare provider to discuss options for pain management and safe pain relief medications.
Advil and Aleve: What’s the Difference?
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Nasal Decongestants
Tom Merton / Getty Images
Decongestantsslow the production of mucus, which can clog breathing passages.
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.
Look for non-stimulant decongestants, which may be just as effective for certain nasal conditions.
3Multi-Symptom Cold and Flu RemediesJupiterimages / Getty ImagesDozens of combination pills, syrups, and tablets are marketed for cold and flu symptoms. Each has a different blend of similar ingredients. These include:DecongestantsNSAIDs or Tylenol (acetaminophen)Cough suppressantsConstricted 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.All About Multi-Symptom Cold and Flu Drugs
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Multi-Symptom Cold and Flu RemediesJupiterimages / Getty ImagesDozens of combination pills, syrups, and tablets are marketed for cold and flu symptoms. Each has a different blend of similar ingredients. These include:DecongestantsNSAIDs or Tylenol (acetaminophen)Cough suppressantsConstricted 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.All About Multi-Symptom Cold and Flu Drugs
Multi-Symptom Cold and Flu Remedies
Jupiterimages / Getty Images
Dozens of combination pills, syrups, and tablets are marketed for cold and flu symptoms. 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.
All About Multi-Symptom Cold and Flu Drugs
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Hormonal Birth Control
PhotoAlto / Getty Images
Virtually allhormonal birth controlpills, patches, and devices can raise blood pressure.
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. If you still have a problem while taking these, you may need to consider other forms of birth control.
Increased Monitoring
9 Non-Hormonal Birth Control Options
5Antidepressant DrugsJonathan Nourok / Getty ImagesAntidepressants change the activity ofneurotransmitters(brain chemicals) tied to mood. They include:SerotoninNorepinephrineDopamineThese 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.Several antidepressant classes are linked to increased blood pressure, such as:Tricyclics:Amitriptyline, doxepin, Norpramin (desipramine)SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): Lexapro (escitalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline) 410SNRIs (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors):Cymbalta (duloxetine), Effexor (venlafaxine), Savella (milnacipran)MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors): Emsam (selegiline), Marplan (isocarboxazid), Nardil (phenelzine)Ups and Downs of MAOIsMAOIs alone can lower your blood pressure, but they can lead to dangerously high blood pressure when combined with certain foods or medications.Avoid mixing it with the following:Aged and fermented foods (e.g., sauerkraut, cured meats, soy sauce, and tofu)Acetaminophen or aspirinDobutamine (heart medicine)Isoniazid (antibiotic)Many stimulantsHow Much OTC Medication Is Safe?If your blood pressure is in the normal range, a normal dosage of OTC medication should not increase it enough to be a concern. However, for those who normally have high blood pressure, even a small amount of OTC medication may be dangerous.Talk to your healthcare provider if you have high blood pressure and need to take OTC medication that may raise it.
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Antidepressant DrugsJonathan Nourok / Getty ImagesAntidepressants change the activity ofneurotransmitters(brain chemicals) tied to mood. They include:SerotoninNorepinephrineDopamineThese 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.Several antidepressant classes are linked to increased blood pressure, such as:Tricyclics:Amitriptyline, doxepin, Norpramin (desipramine)SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): Lexapro (escitalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline) 410SNRIs (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors):Cymbalta (duloxetine), Effexor (venlafaxine), Savella (milnacipran)MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors): Emsam (selegiline), Marplan (isocarboxazid), Nardil (phenelzine)Ups and Downs of MAOIsMAOIs alone can lower your blood pressure, but they can lead to dangerously high blood pressure when combined with certain foods or medications.Avoid mixing it with the following:Aged and fermented foods (e.g., sauerkraut, cured meats, soy sauce, and tofu)Acetaminophen or aspirinDobutamine (heart medicine)Isoniazid (antibiotic)Many stimulantsHow Much OTC Medication Is Safe?If your blood pressure is in the normal range, a normal dosage of OTC medication should not increase it enough to be a concern. However, for those who normally have high blood pressure, even a small amount of OTC medication may be dangerous.Talk to your healthcare provider if you have high blood pressure and need to take OTC medication that may raise it.
Antidepressant Drugs
Jonathan Nourok / Getty Images
Antidepressants change the activity ofneurotransmitters(brain chemicals) tied to mood. 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.
Several antidepressant classes are linked to increased blood pressure, such as:
Ups and Downs of MAOIsMAOIs alone can lower your blood pressure, but they can lead to dangerously high blood pressure when combined with certain foods or medications.Avoid mixing it with the following:Aged and fermented foods (e.g., sauerkraut, cured meats, soy sauce, and tofu)Acetaminophen or aspirinDobutamine (heart medicine)Isoniazid (antibiotic)Many stimulants
Ups and Downs of MAOIs
MAOIs alone can lower your blood pressure, but they can lead to dangerously high blood pressure when combined with certain foods or medications.Avoid mixing it with the following:Aged and fermented foods (e.g., sauerkraut, cured meats, soy sauce, and tofu)Acetaminophen or aspirinDobutamine (heart medicine)Isoniazid (antibiotic)Many stimulants
MAOIs alone can lower your blood pressure, but they can lead to dangerously high blood pressure when combined with certain foods or medications.Avoid mixing it with the following:
How Much OTC Medication Is Safe?
If your blood pressure is in the normal range, a normal dosage of OTC medication should not increase it enough to be a concern. However, for those who normally have high blood pressure, even a small amount of OTC medication may be dangerous.Talk to your healthcare provider if you have high blood pressure and need to take OTC medication that may raise it.
SummaryDrugs that increase blood pressure either constrict blood vessels, increase fluid retention, or raise hormone levels. Use care with NSAIDs, decongestants,combination cold and flu medicines, hormonal birth control, and antidepressants.
Summary
Drugs that increase blood pressure either constrict blood vessels, increase fluid retention, or raise hormone levels. Use care with NSAIDs, decongestants,combination cold and flu medicines, hormonal birth control, and antidepressants.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Barcella CA, Lamberts M, McGettigan P, Fosbøl EL, Lindhardsen J, Torp-Pedersen C,et al.Differences in cardiovascular safety with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy-A nationwide study in patients with osteoarthritis.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019 May;124(5):629-641. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13182.Harvard Health. “Heart-safer NSAID alternatives.“Ruschitzka F, Borer JS, Krum H, et al.Differential blood pressure effects of ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib in patients with arthritis: the PRECISION-ABPM (Prospective Randomized Evaluation of Celecoxib Integrated Safety Versus Ibuprofen or Naproxen Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement) Trial.Eur Heart J. 2017;38(44):3282-3292. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehx508American 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. 2021;8:704281. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.704281Edinoff AN, Swinford CR, Odisho AS, et al.Clinically Relevant Drug Interactions with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.Health Psychol Res. 2022;10(4):39576. Published 2022 Nov 3. doi:10.52965/001c.39576
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Barcella CA, Lamberts M, McGettigan P, Fosbøl EL, Lindhardsen J, Torp-Pedersen C,et al.Differences in cardiovascular safety with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy-A nationwide study in patients with osteoarthritis.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019 May;124(5):629-641. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13182.Harvard Health. “Heart-safer NSAID alternatives.“Ruschitzka F, Borer JS, Krum H, et al.Differential blood pressure effects of ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib in patients with arthritis: the PRECISION-ABPM (Prospective Randomized Evaluation of Celecoxib Integrated Safety Versus Ibuprofen or Naproxen Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement) Trial.Eur Heart J. 2017;38(44):3282-3292. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehx508American 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. 2021;8:704281. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.704281Edinoff AN, Swinford CR, Odisho AS, et al.Clinically Relevant Drug Interactions with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.Health Psychol Res. 2022;10(4):39576. Published 2022 Nov 3. doi:10.52965/001c.39576
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Barcella CA, Lamberts M, McGettigan P, Fosbøl EL, Lindhardsen J, Torp-Pedersen C,et al.Differences in cardiovascular safety with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy-A nationwide study in patients with osteoarthritis.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019 May;124(5):629-641. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13182.Harvard Health. “Heart-safer NSAID alternatives.“Ruschitzka F, Borer JS, Krum H, et al.Differential blood pressure effects of ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib in patients with arthritis: the PRECISION-ABPM (Prospective Randomized Evaluation of Celecoxib Integrated Safety Versus Ibuprofen or Naproxen Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement) Trial.Eur Heart J. 2017;38(44):3282-3292. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehx508American 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. 2021;8:704281. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.704281Edinoff AN, Swinford CR, Odisho AS, et al.Clinically Relevant Drug Interactions with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.Health Psychol Res. 2022;10(4):39576. Published 2022 Nov 3. doi:10.52965/001c.39576
Barcella CA, Lamberts M, McGettigan P, Fosbøl EL, Lindhardsen J, Torp-Pedersen C,et al.Differences in cardiovascular safety with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy-A nationwide study in patients with osteoarthritis.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019 May;124(5):629-641. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13182.
Harvard Health. “Heart-safer NSAID alternatives.”
Ruschitzka F, Borer JS, Krum H, et al.Differential blood pressure effects of ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib in patients with arthritis: the PRECISION-ABPM (Prospective Randomized Evaluation of Celecoxib Integrated Safety Versus Ibuprofen or Naproxen Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement) Trial.Eur Heart J. 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. 2021;8:704281. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.704281
Edinoff AN, Swinford CR, Odisho AS, et al.Clinically Relevant Drug Interactions with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors.Health Psychol Res. 2022;10(4):39576. Published 2022 Nov 3. doi:10.52965/001c.39576
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