Which class of medications is known to be associated with orthostatic hypotension?

Antihypertensive medications are known to be associated with orthostatic hypotension because they are specifically designed to lower blood pressure. When a person changes positions—such as moving from a sitting or lying down position to standing—there can be a temporary drop in blood pressure. This can lead to symptoms of dizziness, lightheadedness, or even fainting, especially in individuals who are taking medications aimed at controlling hypertension.

These medications can affect the body's ability to regulate blood pressure upon standing, often by relaxing blood vessels or reducing blood volume, which can exacerbate the drop in blood pressure when changing positions. It's important for healthcare providers to monitor patients for these side effects, especially upon initiation of therapy or when doses are adjusted.

Other classes of medications, such as analgesics and antibiotics, do not typically have orthostatic hypotension as a primary side effect. While aspirin is an analgesic and has various uses, it is not known to cause significant issues with blood pressure regulation in the same way that antihypertensives do. Therefore, antihypertensive medications are clearly linked with the risk of orthostatic hypotension.