Can people with high blood pressure take aleve

Updated on September 16, 2022

Ibuprofen can cause your blood pressure drugs to be less effective, as can other medications. There's a good chance you may be taking one or more of them. Several popular over-the-counter (OTC) remedies do that, including some antacids, as well as a number of prescription drugs.

Proper blood pressure control is important for your cardiovascular health. So it's wise to key an eye on your blood pressure readings if you're taking anything that could cause a problem. That includes vitamins and other supplements that can affect your blood pressure.

This article looks at common drug types that can make your hypertension (high blood pressure) worse. It also discusses what they're typically used to treat and what you can try instead, keeping in mind that you should always discuss medication used with your healthcare provider.

1

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most popular over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in the world. They're used to:

• Treat headaches
• Reduce fever
• At higher doses, alleviate pain and inflammation

While NSAIDs are typically safe, prolonged use can raise your blood pressure.

Long-term use has also been linked to changes in kidney function. The kidneys play a key role in blood pressure regulation. There's research evidence that finds NSAIDs may increase cardiovascular risks, like heart attack and stroke, in some people.

OTC NSAIDs include:

• Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen)
• Aleve, Naprosyn (naproxen)

Ask your healthcare provider about pain-relief options that may be safer for you.

What Is the Safest Anti-Inflammatory?

All NSAIDs, except for aspirin, are linked to a higher risk of heart problems. They also present gastrointestinal and renal (kidney) concerns that grow with higher doses and length of time you take them. Aspirin is an option but it increases the risk of bleeding, so it's not for everyone. More research is needed, but some findings suggest Aleve (naproxen) may be safer for the heart.

2

Nasal Decongestants

Decongestants slow the production of mucus, which can clog breathing passages.

They do this by constricting blood vessels in your nose and sinuses. That opens airways and makes you feel less stuffed up from colds or allergies.

Most decongestants contain either:

• Pseudoephedrine
• Phenylephrine

Those are both stimulants known to increase blood pressure.

When used short-term, decongestants are largely safe and effective. But overuse may raise blood pressure and undermine your treatment.

Look for non-stimulant decongestants, which may be just as effective for certain nasal conditions.

3

Multi-Symptom Cold and Flu Remedies

Dozens of combination pills, syrups, and tablets are marketed for cold and flu symptoms. Each has a different blend of similar ingredients. These include:

• Decongestants
• NSAIDs or Tylenol (acetaminophen)
• Cough suppressants

Constricted blood vessels and fluid retention are effects of these drugs when taken together. They can cause short-term blood pressure increases and make your treatment less effective.

4

Hormonal Birth Control

Virtually all hormonal birth control pills, patches, and devices can raise blood pressure.

Blood-vessel constriction is a common side effect of these products. They often have a larger effect on women who smoke, are overweight, or are over age 35.

Oral contraceptives with lower-dose estrogen may have lesser effects on blood pressure. If you still have a problem while taking these, you may need to consider other forms of birth control.

Increased Monitoring

Not all women are affected by hormonal birth control. But if you have hypertension, your healthcare provider will likely want to monitor you closely. Ideally, you should get checked every six to 12 months.

5

Antidepressant Drugs

Antidepressants change the activity of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) tied to mood. They include:

• Serotonin
• Norepinephrine
• Dopamine

These drugs increase your levels of adrenaline and other stimulating hormones. That can increase blood pressure.

Dopamine is even used in emergencies to raise critically low blood pressure.

Several antidepressant classes are linked to increased blood pressure, such as:

• Tricyclics: Amitriptyline, doxepin, Norpramin (desipramine)
• SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): Lexapro (escitalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline)
• SNRIs (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors): Cymbalta (duloxetine), Effexor (venlafaxine), Savella (milnacipran)
• MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)*: Emsam (selegiline), Marplan (isocarboxazid), Nardil (phenelzine)

Ups and Downs of MAOIs

*MAOIs alone can lower your blood pressure. But they can lead to dangerously high blood pressure when combined with:

• Aged and fermented foods (e.g., sauerkraut, cured meats, soy sauce, and tofu)
• Acetaminophen or aspirin
• The heart medicine dobutamine
• The antibiotic isoniazid
• Many stimulants

Summary

Drugs that increase blood pressure either constrict blood vessels, increase fluid retention, or raise hormone levels. Use care with NSAIDs, decongestants, combination cold and flu medicines, hormonal birth control, and antidepressants.

A Word From Verywell

If you take any of these OTC drugs, talk to your healthcare provider about your risk of hypertension. You may want to check your blood pressure at home until you know how the medication affects you. You may need to switch drugs, lower your dosage, or up the dosage of an anti-hypertensive drug.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much can OTC medication raise your blood pressure?

  If your blood pressure is in the normal range, OTC medication should not increase it enough to be a concern. If you normally have high blood pressure, though, OTC medication may take it to a dangerous level. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have high blood pressure and need to take OTC medication that may raise it.

• What are normal blood pressure numbers?

  Blood pressure is measured as systolic pressure (first number) over diastolic pressure (second number). Normal blood pressure range does not exceed 120/ 80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

  • Prehypertensive range = between 120-139/80-89
  • Hypertensive range = 140 or higher/90 or higher
  • Hypertensive crisis = above 180/above 120
    

• Does ibuprofen raise blood sugar in diabetics?

  Advil (ibuprofen) isn't as much of a blood sugar concern as Tylenol (acetaminophen), aspirin, and other drugs that can lower (or raise) blood sugar.But ibuprofen does present a concern for diabetics who take certain drugs, called ACE inhibitors, or have kidney disease or dysfunction.

• What time of day is blood pressure highest?

  Your blood pressure is likely to be at its highest at midday, and its lowest when you first wake up, but it also depends on the individual. When you check it at home, try to do so at the same times every day so the readings are consistent.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. Kotliar C, Obregón S, Koretzky M, Botto F, Di Leva A, Boscaro M, et al. Improved identification of secondary hypertension: use of a systematic protocol. Ann Transl Med. 2018 Aug;6(15):293. doi:10.21037/atm.2018.06.25.

2. Barcella CA, Lamberts M, McGettigan P, Fosbøl EL, Lindhardsen J, Torp-Pedersen C, et al. Differences in cardiovascular safety with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy-A nationwide study in patients with osteoarthritis. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019 May;124(5):629-641. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13182.

3. National Kidney Foundation. Watch out for your kidneys when you use medicines for pain.

4. Harvard Health. Heart-safer NSAID alternatives.

5. American Academy of Family Physicians. Decongestants: OTC relief for congestion.

6. American Heart Association. High blood pressure and women.

7. Calvi A, Fischetti I, Verzicco I, et al. Antidepressant drugs effects on blood pressure. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021;8:704281. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.704281

8. American Heart Association. Understanding over-the-counter (OTC) medications and high blood pressure.

9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High blood pressure symptoms and causes.

10. TriHealth. Medications that affect blood sugar.

11. Bigotte Vieira M, Neves JS, Baptista RB, Leitão L, Viegas Dias C, Vicente R. Prescrição de Anti-Inflamatórios Não Esteroides a Doentes com Diabetes Mellitus em Portugal [Prescribing of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs to Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Portugal]. Acta Med Port. 2019 Feb 28;32(2):119-125. Portuguese. doi:10.20344/amp.10815. 

12. George J, Macdonald T. Home blood pressure monitoring. Eur Cardiol. 2015;10(2):95-101. doi:10.15420/ecr.2015.10.2.95

By Craig O. Weber, MD
Craig O. Weber, MD, is a board-certified occupational specialist who has practiced for over 36 years.

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