vasopressin in the treatment of oesophageal varices
Last reviewed 01/2018
- oldest drug treatment for acute variceal bleeding
- can cause serious complications e.g. myocardial ischaemia, myocardial infarction,
cardiac arrhythmias (1)
- now rarely used unless given in combination with glyceryl trinitrate - this may improve control of bleeding but also results in fewer adverse effects
Reference:
- Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (2000), 38 (5), 37-40.