Drug-induced arterial hypertension

This review is devoted to the problem of drug-induced hypertension (H). It summarizes the literature data on drugs and substances that can increase blood pressure, discusses the mechanisms of their hypertensive action. Many classes of drugs such as steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sympathomimetics, immunosuppressants, oral contraceptives, antidepressants, erythropoietin, etc. can cause episodic or persistent increase in blood pressure, cause uncontrolled hypertension, reduce the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs. The development of drug-induced hypertension is realized through a number of pathophysiological mechanisms: sodium retention with subsequent increase in the volume of circulating blood, activation of the sympathetic nervous system, direct effect on the smooth muscles of arterioles, there are other, not fully studied mechanisms. Drug-induced H may also be the result of pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic drug interactions. To suspect the presence of drug-induced hypertension, in the first place, should be in persons with newly diagnosed hypertension, as well as in patients who previously had a well-controlled hypertension (stable target blood pressure - BP levels) when they have episodes of unexplained increase in BP without a clear relationship with physical or psycho-emotional stress. It is very important to have a properly collected history with a focus on a thorough assessment of the medicines taken by the patient, especially newly prescribed, as well as those purchased at the pharmacy independently, including over-the-counter, this will avoid unnecessary and/or expensive studies and unnecessary prescriptions of additional antihypertensive drugs. The article presents these measures for the prevention and correction of drug-induced H. The appointment of new drugs by a doctor to patients receiving antihypertensive therapy should necessarily take into account their impact on the risk of drug-induced hypertension. Prescribing drugs that cause an increase in BP levels should either be avoided or, if alternative treatment regimens are not possible, strict control of the patient's BP level (including the method of home monitoring of BP) and, if necessary, the correction of antihypertensive therapy. When canceling a drug that causes drug-induced hypertension, BP returns to its original level, which is proof of the iatrogenic cause of hypertension.