Description

Midodrine is a medication used to treat orthostatic hypotension, a condition where a person’s blood pressure drops significantly upon standing up, which can cause symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. It is an oral medication that works by increasing blood pressure.

Indication

The primary indication for Midodrine is the treatment of symptomatic orthostatic hypotension, especially in cases that are unresponsive to other treatments. This condition can be caused by various factors, including autonomic nervous system disorders (such as Bradbury-Eggleston or Shy-Drager syndromes), diabetes mellitus, or Parkinson’s disease.

Mechanism of Action

Midodrine is a prodrug, meaning it is converted into its active form, called desglymidodrine, once it is in the body. Desglymidodrine acts as a selective agonist of the alpha-1 adrenergic receptors located on the blood vessels. When it binds to these receptors, it causes the blood vessels to constrict (vasoconstriction), which increases peripheral vascular resistance and, as a result, raises blood pressure. This action helps prevent the pooling of blood in the lower extremities when a person stands up, thereby alleviating the symptoms of orthostatic hypotension.