One of the goals when you take medication for high blood pressure is to be sure that your medication is working effectively to lower your blood pressure. One step toward achieving this goal is to avoid some medications. What kinds of problems might medicine cause?

Some medicines can make blood pressure rise. If you have high blood pressure to begin with, it can rise to dangerous levels.
Some medications may interact with your blood pressure medicine. This can prevent either medicine from working properly.

Here are common types of medicines that can make your high blood pressure worse.

Is Your Blood Pressure in Check?

Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs include both prescription and over-the-counter medicine. They are often used to relieve pain or reduce inflammation from conditions such as arthritis. However, NSAIDs can make your body retain fluid and decrease the function of your kidneys. This may cause your blood pressure to rise even higher, putting greater stress on your heart and kidneys.

Common NSAIDs include:

Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Naproxen

You may also find NSAIDs in over-the-counter medication for other health problems. Cold medicine, for example, often contains NSAIDs. It's a good idea whenever you purchase an over-the-counter medicine to check the label for NSAIDs. Ask your doctor if any NSAID is okay for you to use. Your doctor may be able to recommend alternatives, such as using acetaminophen instead of ibuprofen.

Cough and Cold Medications

Many cough and cold medications contain NSAIDs to relieve pain. NSAIDs may increase your blood pressure. Cough and cold medicines also frequently contain decongestants. Decongestants can make blood pressure worse in two ways:

Decongestants may make your blood pressure and heart rate rise.
Decongestants may prevent your blood pressure medication from working properly.

What can you do? Avoid using cough and cold medicine that contains NSAIDs or decongestants. Ask your doctor for suggestions about other ways to ease symptoms of cold, flu, or sinus problems.

Migraine Headache Medications

Some migraine medicines work by tightening blood vessels in your head. This relieves migraine pain. However, the medication also constricts blood vessels throughout your body. This makes your blood pressure rise, perhaps to dangerous levels.

If you have high blood pressure or any other type of heart disease, talk with your doctor before taking medication for migraines or severe headaches.

Weight Loss Medications

Some weight loss medications may make heart disease worse:

Meridia (sibutramine) can make your blood pressure and heart rate rise. Although it usually rises only a little, this can be dangerous if you already have high blood pressure or other heart disease.
Appetite suppressants tend to "rev" up your body. This can make blood pressure rise and put more stress on your heart.

Before using any weight loss medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, be sure to check with your doctor. These medications may do you more harm than good.