Pharmacological Treatments for POTS/Dysautonomia: What You Need to Know

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia — a condition that disrupts autonomic nervous system functions like blood pressure and heart rate regulation.

Affecting 1-3 million people in the United States, POTS causes your heart rate to increase when you stand up after sitting or lying down. As a result, your blood pressure is destabilized. 

While these are basic features of POTS, the condition varies between cases and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. 

If you have POTS, you might experience:

• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations
• Chest pain 
• Trouble breathing
• Bloating
• Poor sleep

Although symptoms of POTS can be disruptive to your life or debilitating, the condition isn’t life-threatening and is often manageable without pharmacological interventions (medications). 

Our multidisciplinary team at Delaware NeuroRehab includes speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, neuropsychologists, and other experts dedicated to treating your condition through comprehensive neurorehabilitation. 

Our team is here to help you manage your POTS, improve symptoms, and enjoy a better quality of life. Here’s everything you need to know about pharmacological treatments for POTS/dysautonomia: 

How pharmacological treatments treat POTS

There isn’t a singular medication for treating POTS, but rather, many medications that target specific autonomic symptoms associated with dysautonomia. While none are FDA-approved for POTS specifically, our team might recommend medications to:

• Constrict your blood vessels
• Increase sodium retention to maintain blood volume
• Lower your heart rate
• Increase blood pressure to prevent fainting
• Decrease blood pressure
• Block the actions of specific hormones or lipids
• Improve mood or reduce anxiety

POTS and other forms of dysautonomia are complex conditions that require individualized care. Our team closely evaluates you before prescribing or adjusting pharmacological treatments within your care plan. 

Among the most common medications for POTS symptoms are beta-blockers, fludrocortisone, and midodrine. Our team might advise you to monitor your pulse and blood pressure throughout the day as we determine the appropriate medications and dosages for your dysautonomia symptoms. 

Helpful dietary adjustments and supplements for POTS

Sometimes, supplements and dietary adjustments help manage POTS. For example, our team might advise you to adjust your sodium intake, hydration, or avoid alcohol consumption as you navigate life with POTS. 

Various vitamins and supplements, like B vitamins, can help balance electrolytes to improve symptoms. 

Combining medications with non-pharmacological strategies

Delaware NeuroRehab often recommends non-pharmaceutical strategies alongside medications. Behavioral changes and assistive devices can simplify life with POTS by improving symptoms. Our team might recommend:

• 7-8 hours of restful sleep per night
• Progressive aerobic training
• Small, frequent meals throughout the day
• Focused breathing
• Mental health services and mindfulness
• Assistive devices like shower chairs, compression garments, or noise-reducing earbuds

Energy management with POTS is also important. Our team helps you establish goals and strategies to pace yourself throughout the day and conserve energy based on your emotional, cognitive, and physical POTS symptoms.  

Get the support you need

Delaware NeuroRehab provides multidisciplinary services for comprehensive POTS management. To learn more about pharmacological treatments and how they can improve symptoms, call Delaware NeuroRehab or request an appointment online today.