Drug-Induced Hypertension

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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood that is pumped by the heart, the pumping power of the heart, the condition of the heart valves, and the size and condition of the arteries. Many other factors can also affect blood pressure, including:

• The volume of water in the body
• Foods eaten, weight, and other body-related variables
• Condition of the kidneys, nervous system, or blood vessels
• Levels of various hormones in the body

There are several types of high blood pressure. Essential hypertension has no identifiable cause. Secondary hypertension occurs because of another disorder. Drug-induced hypertension is a form of secondary hypertension caused by a response to medication.

Drugs that can cause hypertension include:

• Alcohol, amphetamines, ecstasy (MDMA and derivatives), and cocaine
• Corticosteroids
• Estrogens (including birth control pills) and other hormones
• Migraine medications
• Cyclosporine
• Erythropoietin (used to correct anemia related to chronic diseases -- such as kidney failure, cancer, and HIV)
• Nasal decongestants
• Many over-the-counter medications such as cough/cold medications and medications for asthma -- particularly when the cough/cold medicine is taken with certain antidepressants like tranylcypromine or tricyclics
• High blood pressure medications (such as clonidine) when a person stops taking them -- particularly if the medication is not tapered off (called rebound hypertension)