Could over-the-counter medicines be raising my blood pressure?
Long-term use of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines can cause temporary increases in your blood pressure. But this usually clears when you stop taking the anti-inflammatory medication. Some of these medicines include the following:
- aspirin
- ibuprofen, sold under brand names including Advil, Motrin, and Rufen
- naproxen, sold under brand names including Anaprox, Naprosyn, and Aleve
Other over-the-counter medicines that may cause high blood pressure include appetite suppressants, also called diet pills. Certain cold medicines, including nasal decongestants, can increase blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure. However, for people with normal blood pressure, it doesn't have as much of an effect.