Top 20 Dysautonomia Drugs Drug Name/Class Helps with Notes Fludrocortisone Increase blood volume and blood Increase dietary sodium for (Florinef®) pressure. May help in reducing maximum effectiveness. Ideal in plasma NE with long-term use. low doses. (Orthostatic intolerance and orthostatic hypotension.)
Midodrine Tightens blood vessels, increases Can cause supine hypertension. (Proamatine®) blood pressure and prevents fainting. (Orthostatic hypotension, POTS and other forms of dysautonomia.) Beta-Blocker Decrease heart rate, blood Known to cause mast cell pressure and adrenaline effects. degranulation. Prevents fainting. (POTS and hyperadrenergic hypertension.) Pyridostigmine Increases blood pressure and (Mestinon®) muscle strength. Reduces breakdown of Acetylcholine in ANS. (Chronic orthostatic hypotension.) IV Saline Increases in blood volume, Symptom improvement is orthostatic tolerance and temporary. Caution should be cognitive function. used when prescribing. (POTS and orthostatic hypotension) Clonidine (Catapres®) or Decreases blood pressure and Methyldopa (Aldomet®) hyperadrenergic responses. Also improves sleep. Decreases sympathetic adrenergic stimulation.
www.TheDysautonomiaProject.org A 501 (c) 3 not for profit organization aimed at speeding the time to diagnosis through local education.
REGISTRATION # CH42034. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Ibuprofen Tighten blood vessels. (Motrin®) Blocks inflammatory prostaglandins. Amphetamine (Adderall®) Tighten blood vessels. Increases Use with caution as can be Or Methylphenidate (Ritalin®, alertness. Cognitive function, and addictive. Concerta®) improves brain fog. Reduces appetite. (Chronic orthostatic intolerance)
Clonazepam Regulate oscillations of blood Recommended start with low (Klonopin®) flow to heart and vital organs and dose at bedtime. increased sense of calmness. (Multiple system atrophy and chronic orthostatic intolerance.) Alprazolam (Xanax®) Increase sense of calmness. Sedative effect. Droxidopa (Northera®) Increase blood pressure. One of the few FDA approved Also known as L-DOPS (Neurogenic orthostatic drugs for neurogenic. hypotension and other forms of Orthostatic Hypotension. autonomic failure) Tricyclic Antidepressants Improves mood. (E.g. Doxepin) Selective Serotonin Improves mood, reduces anxiety. May cause depression – use Reuptake Inhibitor, caution with teens. (SSRIs) Erythropoietin Increase blood count and blood Difficult to gain coverage through (Procrit®) pressure. insurance. Especially helpful with anemic patients or patients with chronic fatigue. Yohimbine Increase blood pressure (Chronic autonomic failure, multiple system atrophy and automatically mediated syncope.)
www.TheDysautonomiaProject.org A 501 (c) 3 not for profit organization aimed at speeding the time to diagnosis through local education.
REGISTRATION # CH42034. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Ivabradine (Corlanor®) Reduces heart rate, angina Useful for patients unable to pectoris, and improves tolerate beta-blockers inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST). Somatostatin Tighten blood vessels in gut (Octreotide®) Desmopressin Tighten blood vessels and causes (DDAVP®) kidneys to retain water Bethanechol Increase salivation, gut action, (=Urecholine®) and urination. H1 & H2 Antihistamines Tightens blood vessels. May be helpful in patients with Improves inflammation of the coexisting mast cell activation. gut.
www.TheDysautonomiaProject.org A 501 (c) 3 not for profit organization aimed at speeding the time to diagnosis through local education.
REGISTRATION # CH42034. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.