Midodrine is a prescription medicine used to treat symptomatic orthostatic hypotension. It works to increase blood pressure by narrowing blood vessels. It is usually taken by mouth three times a day, or as directed by a doctor. Side effects may include nausea, dizziness, and headache.
Midodrine is a medication used to treat orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure upon standing). Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:
Type: Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist [1]
Function:
- Midodrine works by constricting blood vessels, particularly in the legs. This helps increase blood pressure when standing [1, 2].
Applications:
- Primarily used to manage orthostatic hypotension, a condition where blood pressure drops significantly when a person stands up from a sitting or lying position [1, 3].
Important Considerations:
- Midodrine is not a cure for orthostatic hypotension, but rather helps manage its symptoms like dizziness and lightheadedness [2].
- It can cause side effects like tingling or itching in the scalp, headache, and goosebumps [2, 3].
- Midodrine is available by prescription only and should be taken under a doctor's supervision [2]. There may be interactions with other medications, so informing your doctor about your current medications is crucial [2, 3].
Additional Information:
- Midodrine usually comes in tablet form and is typically taken three times a day [2].
- It's important to avoid sudden position changes (standing up quickly) while taking midodrine, as this can worsen dizziness [3].
Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification
C - Cardiovascular system
C01 Cardiac therapy
C01C - Cardiac stimulants excluding cardiac glycosides
C01CA Adrenergic and dopaminergic agents
ATC Code
External Links
Midodrine