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Drugs Known to Cause Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH): Dr. Adil Ramzan

Pulmonary artery hypertension can be caused by a number of drugs. Some drugs are known to cause pulmonary arterial hypertension, while others are thought to be involved.
Below is the list of drugs that may cause pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)

Definitive causes of Pulmonary Artery Hypertension 


  1. Aminorex: A drug which was previously prescribed for weight loss, later withdrawn from the market when it was noticed that it causes pulmonary artery hypertension. 
  2. Fenfluramine: Another drug which was used in past for the purpose of weight loss, it is an anorectic drug, and decreases appetite. It was also withdrawn because it causes pulmonary artery hypertension. 
  3. Dexfenfluramine: An isomer of fenfluramine, was being used to induce weight loss. 
  4. Topical rapeseed oil: used as an anti-ageing agent. 
  5. Benfluorex: similar structure as that of fenfluramine. 

Likely causes of Pulmonary Artery Hypertension. 

  1. Amphetamines: CNS stimulant
  2. Tryptophan: an amino acid.
  3. Methamphetamines: CNS stimulant. 

Possible causes of Pulmonary Artery Hypertension

  1. Cocaine has the potential for abuse. 
  2. Phenylpropanolamine: St John Wort
  3. SSRIs: eg paroxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline, fluoxetine. 
  4. Pergolide: used for management of Parkinson. 



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