What Drugs Will Make Blood Pressure High?

High blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, is defined as having blood pressure that reads above 140/90. In most cases, high blood pressure takes years to develop and has many causes, one of which are prescribed medications. When a medication is causing high blood pressure, however, a person's blood pressure may increase rapidly and not over time as when caused by something else. If you seem to be experiencing high blood pressure due to medications, talk to your doctor about having your dose adjusted or the medication switched to avoid any high blood pressure-related complications.

Acetaminophen

• Studies have shown that women taking 500mg or more of acetaminophen per day have an increased risk of high blood pressure. Common types of acetaminophen include Tylenol. If you experience high blood pressure due to this medication, you may be able to lower your pressure by switching to another pain reliever entirely, alternating acetaminophen with another pain reliever or lowering your daily dosage.

Antidepressants

• Antidepressants can cause high blood pressure in some patients. These drugs treat depression by changing the brain's response to serotonin, dopamine and norepinepherine, all chemicals that affect a person's mood. Doctors do not understood exactly why certain antidepressants cause high blood pressure. Again, consult your physician about having your dose lowered, if feasible, or changing to a different antidepressant.

Birth Control Pills

• Some women taking birth-control pills experience high blood pressure, which occurs because the hormones in these pills lead to smaller, narrower blood vessels. Virtually all birth-control pills carry the risk of increasing blood pressure. Consult your doctor, and see if you can benefit by switching to another type of pill or by using a non-hormonal form of birth control such as condoms.

Decongestants

• Certain decongestant medications can cause high blood pressure; read the labels carefully. The high blood pressure associated with these medication occurs because they narrow the blood vessels, making it more difficult for blood to flow through the veins. Commonly used decongestants include Afrin and Sudafed. People who experience high blood pressure related to decongestants should stop using them in order to stabilize their blood pressure.

Immunosuppressants

• Immunosuppressants are a type of medication that can cause high blood pressure. The exact cause of why they can raise blood pressure is not known, but it is thought that the rise is related to the effect that these drugs have on the kidneys. Commonly prescrubed immunosuppressants include Prograf, Neoral, Medrol and Sandimmune.