Which drugs help with low blood pressure?
Introduction - What role do drugs play in low blood pressure?
There are various drug options for treating a blood pressure value that is too low.
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 medications, 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 the presence of hypotension include, for example, dihydroergotamine (e.g. in the form of DET MS retard). It is primarily used in the treatment of migraines. The aim is to constrict the cerebral vessels (Vasoconstriction), since vasodilation (vasodilation) is one of the causes of a migraine attack. Midodrin also requires a prescription (e.g. as Gutron drops 1% or as Gutron® tablets), which generally stimulates the circulation when the patient is Hypotension can stabilize. A combination preparation made from etilefrine and dihydroergotamine (e.g. Effortil) is also in therapeutic use.
Another drug is the Akrinor®. The dosage form of the Akrinor® is the injection solution. Akrinor® is one of the emergency medication, which is a combination of theodrenaline and cafedrine. It is increasingly used in emergency medicine and anesthesia. After intravenous or intramuscular administration, it has an increasing effect on the myocardial contractility, the heartbeat volume and the peripheral vascular resistance. In this way an effective increase in blood pressure is achieved.
The drug phenylephrine with the active ingredient phenylephrine is used for slightly different indications. It is called direct Sympathomimetic Mainly used for local swelling of the mucous membranes (e.g. colds). One of the advantages of phenylephrine is that it can be absorbed through several routes of administration (intravenous, intramuscular, orally and as drops). If you have high blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias, you should avoid taking phenylephrine.
Effortil®
Effortil® can be taken in the form of tablets (retard capsule) or as a solution.
Effortil® is used for circulatory disorders with low blood pressure, which are associated with typical symptoms such as paleness, dizziness, sweating, flickering or turning black in front of the eyes. Adults and children older than six years take 20 to 30 drops up to three times a day. The intake of Effortil® should be taken especially in combination with plenty of fluid before meals. Akrinor is also available as a combination preparation as a prescription drug.
More information about this drug can be found here: Effortil®
What over-the-counter medications help with low blood pressure?
An important over-the-counter drug for circulatory stabilization through a blood pressure-increasing effect is etilefrine.
It is used in the case of typical circulatory-related symptoms of hypotension. These include dizziness, inexplicable tiredness, weakness and stargazing or turning black in front of the eyes. As a combination preparation with dihydroergotamine, Etilefrine is a prescription drug. In the form of the single preparation, however, no prescription is required. For example, it can be taken in drop form under the trade name Effortil®.
The combination of camphor and hawthorn (Korodin® drops) is also one of the over-the-counter drugs. They are available in the form of oral cardiovascular drops. This preparation strengthens not only the cardiovascular function but also the respiratory function. Camphor is a colorless solid that occurs in different plants. It is manufactured synthetically and has a potentially psychoactive and toxic effect if overdosed.
Read more about this under:
- What to do if you have low blood pressure
- Korodin® drops
Which homeopathic medicines can help?
Homeopathic preparations can certainly be used in the treatment of hypotension.
In addition to Veratum album, other substances used are Acisum phosphoricum and Coffea.Hypotonia should also be treatable with acupuncture, specific nutritional advice or medical hypnosis. Here, however, the existence of a medical basis must be viewed critically.
You can find more information here: Does homeopathy help with low blood pressure?
Which herbal remedies help against low blood pressure?
Various herbal medicines can be used as part of phytotherapy for low blood pressure (hypotension). Hawthorn extracts (Crataegus laevigata) play an important role here. They can either be used as a single preparation in the form of capsules, tablets, drops, juice or tea, or otherwise in combination with another active ingredient. Hawthorn is said to be able to improve the force of contraction and increase the stroke volume of the heart. The coronary arteries should expand under the hawthorn administration and thus improve the perfusion (blood supply) of the heart. Hawthorn is therefore particularly suitable for therapeutic administration in the case of heart failure (heart muscle weakness). In combination preparations it can be combined with magnesium and vitamin E or with camphor.
The combination preparation camphor and hawthorn is known under the name Korodin® cardiovascular drops. It contains an alcoholic extract (menthol) and does not require a prescription. Korodin® has an overall strengthening effect on the heart function and antispasmodic on the lungs. Increased blood flow to the coronary arteries increases the supply of oxygen to the heart, which is why the force of contraction can be increased. The menthol and camphor cause the bronchi to expand and therefore alleviate symptoms of shortness of breath. Korodin® is therefore used in certain situations such as mild cardiovascular problems with fatigue and poor performance due to low blood pressure (hypotension).
Korodin® can be taken with a piece of sugar or bread, but not with water. Korodin can be used during pregnancy without any problems. However, it is contraindicated to take it in small children or infants under two years of age or in the case of hypersensitivity reactions due to allergies. So should ingestion in patients with Bronchial asthma or other respiratory diseases with a hyperresponsive bronchial system are avoided.
Further active ingredients against low blood pressure from the field of phytotherapy are Pulsatilla pratensis (pasque flower), rosemary and ginseng.
More information can be found here:
- Hawthorn - when is it used and how does it work?
- These are the suitable home remedies for low blood pressure
What drugs cause low blood pressure?
A sharp drop in blood pressure (hypotension) can in principle also be attributed to the side effects of medication.
Diuretics, for example, have a strong blood pressure lowering effect, such as the one that is frequently used Loop diuretic Furosemide. During therapy with diuretics, therefore, in addition to regular electrolyte control, especially potassium, blood pressure should also be measured. In general, antihypertensive drugs can also cause hypotension. Severe hypotension can occur, particularly in the early phase of antihypertensive therapy. Control measurements of the blood pressure should take place here regularly.
Some psychotropic drugs also have an antihypertensive effect. Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants and certain antipsychotics from the group of Phenothiazines.
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Exclusion of liability / disclaimer
We would like to point out that medication must never be discontinued, applied or changed independently without consulting your doctor.
Please note that we cannot claim that our texts are complete or correct. The information may be out of date due to current developments.
