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Cirrhosis: Vasoconstrictor Medicines for Variceal Bleeding

Topic Overview

Medicines that constrict small blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the portal vein are used to treat sudden (acute) bleeding from enlarged veins (varices) in the digestive tract (variceal bleeding).

Octreotide is the main medicine used in the United States to treat variceal bleeding.

These medicines also may be used along with endoscopic treatment. Adding medicine to endoscopic treatment works better to control bleeding than endoscopic treatment alone.1

Side effects of these medicines may include:

  • Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias).
  • Headache.
  • Dizziness.
  • Too much sugar in the blood (hyperglycemia).
  • Diarrhea.
  • Formation of gallstones (with long-term use).

References

Citations

  1. Garcia-Tsao G, et al. (2007). Prevention and management of gastroesophageal varices and variceal hemorrhage in cirrhosis. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 102(9): 2086–2102.

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer W. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology
Last Revised January 22, 2010

Last Revised: January 22, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & W. Thomas London, MD - Hepatology

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