Drug-induced hypertension is high blood pressure caused by using a chemical substance, drug, or medication.

See also: High blood pressure

Hypertension - medication related

Blood pressure is determined by the:

• Amount of blood the heart pumps
• Condition of the heart valves
• Pumping power of the heart
• Size and condition of the arteries

There are several types of high blood pressure.

• Essential hypertension has no cause that can be found.
• 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
• Cyclosporine
• Erythropoietin
• Estrogens (including birth control pills) and other hormones
• Many over-the-counter medications such as cough/cold and asthma medications -- particularly when the cough/cold medicine is taken with certain antidepressants like tranylcypromine or tricyclics
• Migraine medications
• Nasal decongestants

Rebound hypertension occurs when blood pressure rises after you stop taking or lower the dose of a drug (typically a high blood pressure medication).

Many other factors can also affect blood pressure, including:

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

Images

Hypertension

Drug induced hypertension

Review Date: 05/04/2010
Reviewed By: Issam Mikati, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine. Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)