Ace the Cardiac Vascular Nursing Exam 2025 – Pump Up Your Success!

Cyclosporines are immunosuppressive medications often used to prevent organ transplant rejection and to treat autoimmune conditions. One of the notable side effects of cyclosporines is their potential to cause hypertension. This occurs primarily due to the drug's effect on the kidneys, as it can lead to vasoconstriction and decreased renal blood flow, ultimately resulting in increased systemic vascular resistance. Consequently, patients on cyclosporines may exhibit elevated blood pressure as a result of these pharmacological changes.

In contrast, while certain antidepressants, antihistamines, and antibiotics may have varying effects on blood pressure, they are not as closely associated with the development of hypertension as cyclosporines. Antidepressants can affect blood pressure differently depending on the specific class and individual drug, but they are generally not primary agents leading to significant hypertension. Antihistamines can sometimes cause mild increases in blood pressure, particularly older types with anticholinergic effects, but this is not as prominent. Antibiotics typically do not cause alterations in blood pressure directly. Thus, cyclosporines are distinct in their more direct and significant role as a contributing factor to elevated blood pressure.