Vasoconstrictor agent

In medicine and pharmacology, vasoconstrictor agents or vasopressor agents are "drugs used to cause constriction of the blood vessels."

Examples of sympathomimetic vasoconstrictor agents include:

• Epinephrine [r]: A hormone (adrenalin) adrenergic systems-stimulator used in asthma and cardiac failure. ^[e]
• Norepinephrine [r]: Precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the adrenal medulla and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers and of the diffuse projection system in the brain arising from the locus ceruleus. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic. ^[e]

Examples of peptide hormone vasoconstrictor agents include:

• Vasopressin [r]: A hormone also called (arginine vasopressin, (AVP); formerly known as antidiuretic hormone, ADH), produced in the hypothalamus secreted from the posterior pituitary that causes kidneys to concentrate urine to conserve water, also causes vasoconstriction. ^[e]

Uses

Septic shock

Among the choices for pressors for treating septic shock, a randomized controlled trial concluded that there was no difference between the biogenic amines norepinephrine (plus dobutamine as needed for cardiac output) versus epinephrine. Similarly, another randomized controlled trial found no difference between vasopressin and norepinephrine. Another trial found no difference between norepinephrine and dopamine are similar in reducing mortality.

Cardiogenic shock

Among the choices for pressors for treating cardiogenic shock, norepinephrine may be better than dopamine in reducing mortality.

Hypovolemic shock

Among the choices for pressors for treating hypovolemic shock, norepinephrine and dopamine are similar in reducing mortality.