Ibuprofen, decongestants, and antacids: Everyday medicines people with high blood pressure should avoid

3 min readNew DelhiSep 21, 2026 09:30 AM IST

If you have high blood pressure, you must take your prescribed medication regularly—but also know what may interfere with your blood-pressure control. Some commonly used medicines and supplements can raise BP or reduce your treatment’s effectiveness.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

So, what are the medicines you should watch out for

Dr Sanjeev Chaudhary, Chairman – Cardiology, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, lists the following:

• Painkillers such as ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen, when used frequently, can cause fluid retention and raise blood pressure. People with hypertension should avoid taking these medicines routinely without medical advice.
• Some cold and flu medicines, particularly decongestants containing pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, can also increase BP and heart rate.
• Certain steroids, some hormonal medications and a few psychiatric medicines may affect blood pressure as well.
• Even medicines that appear harmless can matter: excessive use of antacids containing sodium, for example, can contribute to sodium intake.

Herbal supplements and stimulant-based products are not automatically safe for people with hypertension. (Image Source: Unsplash)

The same caution applies to supplements.

Dr Sanjeev says, “Natural does not automatically mean ‘safe’. Products containing liquorice (mulethi), ginseng or ephedra, and some so-called energy or weight-loss supplements may increase BP or interfere with cardiovascular medicines. High doses of caffeine and stimulant-containing pre-workout products can also cause temporary rises in BP.”