Drug interactions can cause secondary arterial hypertension and when faced with certain molecules, we must remain vigilant.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories
Faced with high blood pressure, interactions between certain medications can be sought. Both for the cardiovascular system, but also for the effectiveness of antihypertensive medications. One of the most commonly used molecules, ibuprofen represents a danger for people suffering from hypertension. More broadly, thes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can interfere with treatments against the pathology. Their administration also constitutes one of the main causes of iatrogenic hypertension.
Antidepressants
While not all classes of antidepressants are likely to cause hypertension, substances belonging to the family of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) could have a negative impact on cardiovascular disease. However, this undesirable effect does not appear on all instructions for use of drugs in the class. Only paroxetine and sertraline currently display this label and must be prescribed with caution in patients treated or with risk factors.
Nasal decongestants
Sold freely in pharmacies, nasal decongestants, to fight colds, can in very rare cases cause “myocardial infarctions or strokes”, according to the ANMS. They are not recommended for people with hypertension because they promote constriction of blood vessels, including coronary and arterial vessels.
Oral contraceptives
“Hormones in birth control pills can sometimes stimulate mechanisms involved in blood pressure regulation and can cause a sometimes significant increase in blood pressure,” according to the Hypertension Research Foundation.
