Vasoconstrictor

Vasoconstrictors are drugs or medications that cause constriction of the blood vessels. Medically, vasoconstrictors are used for several reasons: to increase blood pressure, to decrease congestion (Sudafed), to decrease redness and itching in the eyes (Visine), or to control bleeding (cocaine or epinephrine). Vasoconstrictors are also commonly abused drugs, such as cocaine and nicotine. However, their vasoconstricting effect is coincidental to their addictive effect, and is a large part of the adverse health effect these drugs have on frequent users. The vasoconstrictive effect of cocaine, for example, is a large part of the reason why people who snort cocaine eventually wind up with a hole in their nasal septum: deprived of blood supply, the tissue eventually necroses. In the same way, people who use nicotine are more susceptible to frostbite, because their peripheral blood vessels are not supplying enough blood to their fingers and toes.

Vasoconstrictors

Brand/Generic Drug Names

cocaine, Allerest/naphazoline, Visine/tetrahydrolozine, Op-Thal-Zin/zinc sulfate, Rhindecon/phenylpropanolamine, Sudafed/pseudoephedrine, Ephed II/ephedrine, methoxamine, Aramine/ metaraminol, Epifrin/epinephrine, Levophed/norepinephrine, nicotine

Common uses

increase blood pressure and cardiac output in severely decompensated states, decrease nasal congestion, control bleeding, ocular congestion or itching

Pharmacology

cause vasoconstriction by adrenergic action on blood vessels

Class contraindications

allergy, severe hypertension, MAO inhibitor use within past 14 days

Class precautions

hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, increased intraocular pressure, prostatic hypertrophy

Interactions

Increased vasopressor effect: beta blockers, MAO inhibitors, sympathomimetics

Adverse Reactions

anxiety, arrhythmias, central nervous system depression, dizziness, hallucinations, headache, insomnia, palpitations, psychological disturbances, respiratory difficulty, seizures, tachycardia, urinary retention, vomiting

Date of most recent Update

Spetember 14, 2002

Further information is available in the writeup for the specific name(s) of this medication class

Vas`o*con*strict"or (?), a. Physiol.

Causing constriction of the blood vessels; as, the vasoconstrictor nerves, stimulation of which causes constriction of the blood vessels to which they go. These nerves are also called vasohypertonic.

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n.

A substance which causes constriction of the blood vessels. Such substances are used in medicine to raise blood pressure.

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© Webster 1913.