Heart Health Heart Failure The Drugs That Can Exacerbate Heart Failure Certain stimulants and antidepressants can make things worse By Richard N. Fogoros, MD facebook linkedin Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified in internal medicine, clinical cardiology, and clinical electrophysiology. He is Verywell's Senior Medical Advisor. Learn about our editorial process Richard N. Fogoros, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI on July 08, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI, is a board-certified preventive cardiologist and lipidologist. Dr. Ali is also an award-winning writer. Learn about our Medical Review Board Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI on July 08, 2020 Print Heart Failure Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping ZhangXun/Moment/Getty Images People living with congestive heart failure (CHF) should know that the medications they avoid are just as important as the ones they take. Heart failure, in which the heart can't provide enough blood to the brain, liver, kidneys, and other organs, can range from mild to severe. Some drugs, including many used to treat other ailments, may worsen the condition, so they should be used only with your physician's approval. Many types of drugs can exacerbate heart failure by raising blood pressure and heart rate, creating an irregular heartbeat or causing fluid buildup. Let's take a look at them. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) These medications include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), which are given to relieve pain and inflammation. Even short-term use can increase blood pressure and interfere with blood-pressure-lowering drugs. Many over-the-counter cough and cold medicines contain NSAIDs. The same warning goes for COX-2 inhibitors, such as celecoxib (Celebrex). Thiazolidinediones Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone are two examples of this class of diabetes drugs, which can result in dangerous levels of fluid retention in patients with moderate-to-severe heart failure. Hormone Replacement Therapy & Oral Contraceptives Both of these medications can raise blood pressure. Pregnancy, in and of itself, can also result in hypertension (high blood pressure). Stimulants Psychotropic drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) fall into the stimulant category, including Adderall (an amphetamine) and methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta). These medications often elevate blood pressure and increase heart rate. Many so-called diet pills are also stimulants. Chemotherapy Drugs Anthracyclines, including the commonly used doxorubicin (Adriamycin), are among the most effective chemotherapy medicines, but they can damage the heart muscle. Giving these medications over a longer duration at a lower dosage can make them safer for many patients. Antidepressants Treating depression can be vitally important in patients with heart disease. But, when you have heart failure, this treatment must be undertaken carefully. Elevated blood pressure can result from taking noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, including venlafaxine (Effexor). Increased heart rate can be caused by tricyclics, which include amitriptyline (Elavil). Higher blood pressure and irregular heartbeat can be a consequence of mixing monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which include phenelzine (Nardil), with certain cheeses, wines, and pickles. Illegal Drugs Cocaine and methamphetamine can cause a sudden rise in blood pressure and heart rate. Cocaine can also constrict the heart's pumping chamber. Other Drugs Another drug, sildenafil (Viagra), usually prescribed for erectile dysfunction, is not only safe but actually beneficial for some patients of heart failure—both men and women, according to the International Journal of Cardiology. By increasing blood flow to the heart, the drug accelerates recovery and enhances the exercise capability, along with the ability to enjoy sex. Because sildenafil can have adverse interactions with other drugs, its use should be supervised by a physician. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Did you know the most common forms of heart disease are largely preventable? Our guide will show you what puts you at risk, and how to take control of your heart health. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources 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. "Medications Commonly Used to Treat Heart Failure." American Heart Association. 2008. Archer SL, Michelakis ED. An Evidence-Based Approach to the Management of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Curr Opin Cardiol. 2006;21(4):385-92. Boltan DD, Hall SA, Roberts WC. Heart Failure Resulting From Chemotherapy for Testicular Neoplasm: A Follow-Up on a Patient Reported 20 Years Earlier. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2006;19(2):124-5. Guazzi M, Arena R, Pinkstaff S, Guazzi MD. Six Months of Sildenafil Therapy Improves Heart Rate Recovery in Patients With Heart Failure. Int J Cardiol. 2009;136(3):341-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2008.04.061. Mukherjee, Debabrata, et al. "Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and the Heart: What Is the Danger?." Le Jacq. 14:2(2008):75-82.