Introduction – What role do drugs play in low blood pressure?
There are various drug options for treating low blood pressure. The aim is to increase the pressure and thus indirectly the circulating volume (cardiac output) by narrowing the blood vessels. There are prescription and over-the-counter medicines, as well as homeopathic and herbal remedies that can help with low blood pressure.
What prescription drugs are used for low blood pressure?
Prescription drugs that can increase blood pressure in hypotension include dihydroergotamine (e.g. in the form of DET MS retard). It is primarily used in the treatment of migraine. The aim here is to constrict the cerebral vessels (vasoconstriction), as vasodilatation is one of the causes of a migraine attack.
Midodrin (e.g. as Gutron drops 1% or as Gutron® tablets), which can generally stabilize the circulation when hypotension exists, is also available only on prescription. Also in therapeutic use is a combination preparation of etilefrin and dihydroergotamine (e.g. Effortil). Another drug is Akrinor®.
The Akrinor® is administered by injection. Akrinor® is one of the emergency drugs, which is a combination of theodrenalin and cafedrin. It is increasingly used in emergency medicine and anesthesia.
After intravenous or intramuscular administration, it has an increasing effect on heart muscle contractility, heart beat volume and peripheral vascular resistance. Thus an effective increase in blood pressure is achieved. The drug Phenylephrine with the active ingredient Phenylephrine is used for slightly different indications.
It is used as a direct sympathomimetic, especially for local swelling of the mucous membranes (e.g. for colds). The advantage of phenylephrine is, among other things, that it can be taken in several ways (intravenously, intramuscularly, orally and as drops). Phenylephrine should not be taken in cases of high blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmia.
Effortil® can be taken in the form of tablets (retarded capsule) or as a solution. Effortil® is used for circulatory disorders with low blood pressure, which are accompanied by typical symptoms such as paleness, dizziness, sweating, flickering or blackening of the eyes. In drop form, adults and children older than six years take 20 to 30 drops up to three times a day. Effortil® should be taken mainly in combination with an ample fluid intake before meals. Akrinor is also available as a combination preparation as a prescription drug.
