vasoconstrictor

Shrinks blood vessels

A vasoconstrictor is a substance that narrows blood vessels, reducing blood flow and raising blood pressure.

Many medications work as vasoconstrictors—decongestants shrink swollen nasal passages, and certain drugs treat dangerously low blood pressure.

Caffeine and nicotine are mild vasoconstrictors.

The adjective form describes this narrowing action: vasoconstrictor effects.

clinical

anaphylaxis

Severe systemic allergic reaction

shockViolent sudden disturbance
hypotensionAbnormally reduced arterial pressure
hemorrhageProfuse discharge of blood

sepsis · resuscitation · decongestant · nasal spray · migraine · local anesthesia · hemostasis · surgery · nosebleed · epidural

physiology

constriction

Tightening or narrowing action

narrowingReduction in width
arteriesTubes carrying oxygenated blood
veinsBlood-return tubes

capillaries · circulation · bloodflow · perfusion · endothelium · smooth muscle · blood pressure · systolic · diastolic · hypertension

drugs

epinephrine

Adrenal stress hormone

norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
pseudoephedrineNasal passage clearing medication
dopamineReward-linked neural messenger

ephedrine · cocaine · amphetamines · ergotamine · sumatriptan · caffeine · nicotine · catecholamine

Categories

Drug Traitsaddictive, potent, toxic, sedative, narcotic
healing effectstherapeutic, curative, restorative, healing, soothing
dental anesthesiadental anesthesia, local anesthesia, local anesthetic, sedation, nitrous oxide
Drug Propertiesbioavailability, half-life, potency, efficacy, toxicity

Opposites

vascular effect

vasoconstrictorvasodilator

Agent widening blood vessels

dilator · nitric oxide · nitroglycerin · ACE inhibitor · hydralazine

Family

vasoconstrictors

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G