High blood pressure Safely using other medicines (1160)
Key points below
Some medicines can make blood pressure go up. Anyone with high blood pressure should not take those medicines. This is true even if someone’s blood pressure is controlled on medicine.
How do I know which medicines are safe?
- Before buying an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, talk with the pharmacist.
- Tell the pharmacist that your child has high blood pressure.
- Tell them about all the medicines that your child takes.
- Always read the label before you give your child medicine.
- Call your child’s doctor or nurse before you give your child medicine you already have in your home.
- Always talk with a healthcare provider before using any herbal medicines.
- Read all labels. Do not use any over-the-counter medicines that have:
- Phenylephrine.
- Pseudoephedrine. This is found in cold medicines. It can only be bought with a signature and ID in Wisconsin.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This includes ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen.
- Caffeine.
Be sure your child’s doctor knows about their high blood pressure before using these prescription medicines:
- ADHD medicines.
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Methylin, and Daytrana, Adhansia XR, Aptensio XR).
- Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine medicines (Adderall, Dexedrine, and Mydayis)
- Erythropoietin. Epogen, Aranesp, Procrit, and Retacrit
- Corticosteroids. This includes hydrocortisone, prednisone, and dexamethasone.
- Oral contraceptives or birth control pills.
- Theophylline or aminophylline.
- Antidepressants. This includes Amitriptyline, Doxepin, Imipramine, Nortriptyline, Venlafaxine (Effexor), Bupropion (Wellbutrin), Desipramine (Norpramin).
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors:
- Isocarboxazide (Marplan).
- Phenelzine (Nardil).
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate).
- Calcineurin inhibitors. Cyclosporine (Neoral) and tacrolimus (Prograf).
- Eye and nose drops with phenylephrine or naphazoline.
Avoid:
- Caffeine
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Diet pills
- Black licorice
- Herbal medicines that have arnica, bitter orange, ephedra, gingko biloba, ginseng, guarana, or St. John’s wort
- Any street drugs, including amphetamines, cocaine, PCP, and Ecstasy