Alternate Names : Hypertension – medication related
Definition
Drug-induced hypertension is high blood pressure caused by using a chemical substance, drug, or medication.
See also: High blood pressure
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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
Many other factors can also affect blood pressure, including:
- Condition of the kidneys, nervous system, or blood vessels
- Foods eaten, weight, and other body-related variables
- Levels of various hormones in the body
- Volume of water in the body
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).
Pictures & Images
Drug induced hypertension
Drug-induced hypertension is high blood pressure caused by a response to using, or stopping the use of, a chemical substance, drug, or medication.
Hypertension
Hypertension is a disorder characterized by consistently high blood pressure. Generally, high blood pressure consists of systolic blood pressure (the “top” number, which represents the pressure generated when the heart beats) higher than 140, or diastolic blood pressure (the “bottom” number, which represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart is at rest) over 90.
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Drug-induced hypertension : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Drug-induced hypertension : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Drug-induced hypertension : Treatment
Review Date : 5/15/2008
Reviewed By : Alan Berger, MD, Assistant Professor, Divisions of Cardiology and Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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