What does vasopressor mean?
A vasopressor is a medical noun for a substance, especially a medication, that narrows blood vessels and raises vascular resistance. This effect can help maintain or increase blood pressure, particularly in shock or during surgery, so vasopressors are common in emergency medicine, anaesthesia, and intensive care. The best-known examples include norepinephrine, vasopressin, and phenylephrine, although they differ in potency, duration, and physiological effects. The word is also used more broadly for any agent with a vessel-constricting action. In clinical shorthand, “pressor” often means the same thing, but the full term is more precise outside specialist writing. Vasopressors can be lifesaving when circulation is dangerously inadequate, yet excessive vasoconstriction may reduce blood flow to tissues. The term therefore describes a class defined by action rather than a single drug. It is especially useful in discussions that distinguish blood-pressure-supporting drugs from vasodilators, which widen vessels and can lower blood pressure.
nounA vasopressor is a substance, especially a medication, that constricts blood vessels, increasing vascular resistance and often helping to raise blood pressure.
- A drug or other substance that causes vasoconstriction, usually with the aim of raising or maintaining blood pressure.
"The patient required continuous vasopressor support after surgery."
"Norepinephrine is a potent vasopressor commonly used to treat septic shock."
"Vasopressor drugs can increase blood pressure, but excessive vasoconstriction may impair tissue perfusion."
The plural is used when referring to multiple vasoconstrictive drugs or to the class of such agents.
"Several vasopressors are available for treating acute hypotension."
Literally a “vessel presser,” a vasopressor narrows blood vessels to help keep blood pressure from collapsing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vasopressor come from?
The word combines the combining form vaso-, derived from Latin vas, meaning “vessel,” with -pressor, meaning “one that presses,” which is based on Latin words for “press.” It developed as part of the medical vocabulary describing substances that act on blood vessels and increase vascular resistance.
Related word forms
How vasopressor is actually used
The term is primarily clinical and technical, especially in emergency medicine, anaesthesia, and intensive care. It can denote either a particular agent or the broader drug class, and “pressor” is common shorthand in specialist writing.
Easily confused with vasopressor
Vasopressin is an endogenous hormone with vasoconstrictor and water-retaining effects, whereas a vasopressor is the broader class of substances that increase vascular tone or help raise blood pressure.