Drug Related Hypertension: A Review on an Unappreciated Cause of Blood Pressure Increase

Blood pressure elevation is known to be a determining risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Although blood pressure increase has many causative factors, numerous drugs have also been reported to increase blood pressure. Drugs are often overlooked as a reason of hypertension. A few medications that usually help to reduce blood pressure may increase blood pressure paradoxically or may lead to blood pressure elevation on discontinuation due to a rebound effect. Detailed evaluation of patient’s medical therapy may help to identify the culprit drug. Discontinuation of the causative agent is recommended once the drug induced hypertension has been identified. The present review summarizes the therapeutic agents that can induce hypertension and would allow the clinician to recognize this entity and to take the appropriate therapeutic measures.