Final answer:
Venlafaxine should be avoided in hypertensive patients due to its potential to raise blood pressure. St. John's Wort must be used cautiously as it can interact with many medications and may adversely affect blood pressure. Discussions with healthcare providers about existing medications and supplements are essential for safe depression treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among antidepressants, Venlafaxine is particularly known for its potential to increase blood pressure and should generally be avoided or used with caution in hypertensive patients. It works as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which can lead to increases in blood pressure at higher doses.
When considering natural supplements, St. John's Wort is known to have interactions with many medications, including antidepressants, and can lead to increased blood pressure among other side effects. Therefore, patients with hypertension should be careful about using St. John's Wort, especially if they are taking other medications.
Conversations with a healthcare provider regarding other medications and supplements you are taking are crucial to ensure safe treatment of depression with appropriate therapeutic options.
This is important as self-medication is not the answer, and patients should never stop taking antidepressants without professional assistance. Monitoring and reporting any problems with medications is essential for patient safety.