From Semaglutide to THC: 7 Medications That Can Increase Your Heart Rate

At some point, you’ve probably felt your heart start to race — maybe during exercise or right before something nerve-racking, like public speaking. But did you know some medications can also increase your heart rate?

For medications that treat heart-related conditions, an increased heart rate is often a known side effect. But for other medications, it can be an unsettling side effect if you aren’t expecting it. Here, we’ll review common medications that can increase heart rate. This can help you avoid this side effect catching you off guard.

What is a normal heart rate?

The average heart rate at rest for most adults is 60 to 100 beats per minute. Your heart rate often changes throughout the day based on your activity level.

You may not notice small changes in your heart rate. But a large increase or a heart rate over 100 beats per minute is something you may feel as a pounding or fluttering feeling in your chest. And if your heart rate remains high for a long period of time, it can be harmful to your health. So it’s always a good idea to seek medical care if you’re experiencing a fast heart rate often or for a long amount of time.

Let’s look at nine heart rate-increasing drugs that could be behind your rapid heartbeat, so you’ll know what to watch for and when to see a healthcare professional.

1. Semaglutide

Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) treats Type 2 diabetes and helps with chronic weight management. It can cause a slight increase in your resting heart rate, typically about 1 to 4 beats per minute. This likely isn’t enough to be noticeable. But in some cases, semaglutide may raise your heart rate by up to 20 beats per minute, which can make you feel like your heart is racing. This seems to be more common with Wegovy than Ozempic.

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Keep in mind that semaglutide has significant benefits when it comes to your heart health. And most people won’t notice a change in their heart rate while using it. But if you do notice palpitations or a racing heartbeat while using it, be sure to tell your prescriber. They may need to lower your dosage or switch you to a different medication.

2. Pseudoephedrine

Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is an over-the-counter medication that treats congestion from allergies or the common cold. Pseudoephedrine can increase your heart rate as well as your blood pressure.

In most cases, the increase in heart rate is small — about 3 beats per minute on average. And it’s more likely with higher pseudoephedrine dosages and immediate-release dosage forms. Children may also be more likely to experience changes in heart rate than adults. And the risk for heart-related side effects goes up if you’re also taking other medications that can affect your heart.

In most cases, your heart rate will return to normal as pseudoephedrine wears off. But if it doesn’t, or you also experience chest pain or trouble breathing, seek emergency care.

3. Stimulants

Stimulants are generally prescribed for conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and weight management. Examples include:

• Mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall)

• Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)

• Phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira)

• Armodafanil (Nuvigil)

• Modafinil (Provigil)

Since stimulant medications speed up bodily functions, increased heart rate is a common side effect. Studies show that stimulants used for ADHD typically increase your heart rate by 5 to 7 beats per minute. But this can vary depending on the medication, dose, and dosage form (short versus long acting).

Other substances, such as caffeine and nicotine, also have stimulant-like effects and can make your heart beat faster.

You may develop a tolerance to stimulant side effects over time. This means they may raise your heart rate at first, but then it may go away on its own as your body adjusts to the medication. If a fast heart rate persists or worsens while you’re taking a stimulant medication, tell your prescriber. You may need a lower dosage or a different treatment.

Be aware: Cocaine and methamphetamine (“speed”) are also stimulants. But their effect on heart rate is much more significant than prescription stimulants. They can also cause irregular heart rates that can be fatal in some cases. This is one reason these substances are so risky to use, in addition to being illegal.

4. Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators work by opening the airways in your lungs, making it easier to breathe. They’re typically prescribed for lung conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).

Inhaled short- and long-acting beta agonists are bronchodilators that can increase your heart rate. Common examples include:

• Albuterol (Ventolin, ProAir)

• Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA)

• Salmeterol (Serevent)

• Formoterol (Perforomist)

These medications work by attaching to specific binding sites called beta receptors. When they activate these receptors in the lungs, the airways open up. But beta receptors are also located in the heart. And when they’re activated, your heart rate can increase.

In most cases, the increased heart rate after using these inhalers is short-lived and goes away on its own after a few minutes. But if it doesn’t, be sure to tell your prescriber.

5. Thyroid hormone medications

Thyroid hormone medications, such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl), treat low thyroid hormone levels in the body (hypothyroidism). You may experience a fast heart rate when you first start taking a thyroid hormone medication or after a dose increase. But this typically goes away once you find the right dosage for your needs.

If your thyroid hormone dose is too high, your fast heartbeat may continue. That’s because thyroid hormones directly affect how fast your heart beats and how hard it pumps.

If you're taking a thyroid hormone and notice palpitations or a fluttering sensation in your chest, tell your prescriber. They can check your thyroid levels with a simple blood test and adjust your medication if needed.

6. Mental health medications

Some medications that treat mental health conditions can also cause a faster heart rate as a side effect. This includes certain antidepressant and antipsychotic medications. These drugs affect chemicals in the brain that also influence your heart rate and blood pressure.

Examples of mental health medications that may increase heart rate include:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as selegiline (Zelapar) and phenelzine (Nardil)

• Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and doxepin

• Antipsychotics, such as clozapine (Clozaril) and quetiapine (Seroquel)

• Some serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta)

Keep in mind that everyone responds differently to mental health medications. And the risk of an increased heart rate can vary with different medications. If it does happen, it may go away on its own as your body gets used to the medication. But if it doesn’t, or if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, or uncomfortable, tell your prescriber. They might suggest a dose adjustment or switching to a different medication.

7. THC

THC is one of the active ingredients in cannabis. THC can make your heart beat faster after you consume it. In most cases, your heart rate will return to normal on its own. But THC’s intoxicating effects combined with a fast heart rate can be scary and cause anxiety for some people, especially if you consume more THC than you intend to. 

If your heart is racing after consuming THC, try to remain calm and do something relaxing, like watching TV or listening to music. If your heart doesn’t calm down on its own, or you’re experiencing chest pain or other symptoms, seek emergency care.

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Written by:

Emilie White, PharmD

Emilie White is a clinical pharmacist with over a decade of hospital pharmacy experience. Her professional areas of interest include critical care as well as infectious and autoimmune diseases.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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