Heart Health Center

Understanding Low Blood Pressure -- Diaganosis and Treatment

What Are the Treatments for Low Blood Pressure? continued...

Medications for Low Blood Pressure

If these measures don't lessen the problem, you may need medication.

The following drugs are often used in treating low blood pressure.

• Fludrocortisone. Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticosteroid that appears to be effective for most types of low blood pressure. It works by promoting sodium retention by the kidney, thereby causing fluid retention and some swelling, which is necessary to improve blood pressure. But this sodium retention also causes a loss of potassium. So when taking fludrocortisone, it's important to get adequate amounts of potassium each day. Fludrocortisone has none of the anti-inflammatory properties of cortisone or prednisone and is not a muscle-building agent.
• Midodrine. Midodrine activates receptors on the arterioles (smallest arteries) and veins to produce an increase in blood pressure. It is used to help increase standing blood pressure in people with postural hypotension related to nervous system dysfunction. More studies are now underway, however, to see how effective this treatment is.