Conventional Treatments for Dysautonomia Medications & Management

My Journey with Medications for Dysautonomia

When I was first diagnosed with Dysautonomia, my doctor quickly handed me prescriptions for Florinef and Beta Blockers. I remember staring at the paper, heart pounding, and thinking how much lower can my blood pressure go? It was already 82/45 most days. Would I even be able to stand if I took these?

I looked at my husband, handed the prescriptions back, and said, “No, thank you.” His worried eyes asked, “Then what are we going to do?” My answer was simple: “I’ll figure it out.”

And I did. It took years of trial and error, but I eventually found my own path without medications. That said, I don’t suggest this for everyone. For many, these medications are not just helpful but lifesaving. They can stabilize daily life, reduce fainting episodes, and make functioning possible. Still, it’s important to recognize that conventional treatments often mask symptoms instead of addressing Dysautonomia’s root causes.

This guide will walk you through 20 of the most commonly prescribed medications for Dysautonomia their benefits, uses, and side effects. To keep things clear, we’ll cover the first 10 here (Part 1) and the next 10 in Part 2.

How Doctors Approach Dysautonomia

Most physicians treat Dysautonomia through symptom management rather than root-cause healing. That means targeting issues like:

• Dizziness and fainting from orthostatic intolerance

• Heart rate fluctuations (tachycardia or bradycardia)

• Blood pressure instability

• Chronic fatigue and brain fog

• Digestive challenges like nausea or gastroparesis

Medications can dramatically improve quality of life in these areas. But they rarely address underlying triggers such as autoimmune dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, or chronic infections. This is why many patients seek out a combination of conventional and holistic care.

🚑 Top 10 Dysautonomia Medications (Part 1)

1. Fludrocortisone (Florinef®)

• How it works: Increases blood volume and sodium retention to reduce dizziness.

• Benefits: Helps orthostatic intolerance, improves hydration.

• Side Effects: High blood pressure, fluid retention, adrenal suppression.

2. Midodrine (Proamatine®)

• How it works: Constricts blood vessels to prevent fainting.

• Benefits: Stabilizes low blood pressure, reduces syncope.

• Side Effects: High blood pressure when lying down, scalp tingling.

3. Beta-Blockers (Propranolol, Metoprolol)

• How it works: Lowers adrenaline response, calming heart rate.

• Benefits: Useful for POTS, reduces tachycardia.

• Side Effects: Fatigue, dizziness, worsening low blood pressure.

4. Pyridostigmine (Mestinon®)

• How it works: Enhances nerve communication.

• Benefits: Improves orthostatic hypotension, may aid digestion.

• Side Effects: Nausea, diarrhea, sweating.

5. IV Saline Therapy

• How it works: Boosts blood volume quickly.

• Benefits: Immediate relief from dizziness, brain fog.

• Side Effects: Short-lived, risk of electrolyte imbalance.

6. Clonidine (Catapres®) or Methyldopa (Aldomet®)

• How it works: Regulates norepinephrine.

• Benefits: Helps hyperadrenergic POTS, improves sleep.

• Side Effects: Fatigue, drowsiness, low blood pressure.

7. NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Motrin®)

• How it works: Reduces inflammation and improves vessel function.

• Benefits: May reduce POTS-related inflammation.

• Side Effects: Stomach irritation, kidney strain.

8. Stimulants (Adderall®, Ritalin®)

• How it works: Boosts alertness, reduces blood pooling.

• Benefits: Improves fatigue, brain fog.

• Side Effects: Increased heart rate, insomnia, dependency risk.

9. Benzodiazepines (Clonazepam, Alprazolam)

• How it works: Calms overactive nervous system.

• Benefits: Helps with anxiety, stabilizes heart rate.

• Side Effects: Dependency, sedation, brain fog.

10. Droxidopa (Northera®)

• How it works: Raises blood pressure in neurogenic cases.

• Benefits: FDA-approved for severe orthostatic hypotension.

• Side Effects: Headaches, nausea, high blood pressure.

⚠️ Limitations of Conventional Treatments

While medications provide short-term relief, they come with important caveats:

• They don’t fix root causes. Most drugs address symptoms, not Dysautonomia’s triggers.

• Risk of dependency. Stimulants and benzodiazepines can create long-term reliance.

• New side effects. Ironically, some mimic or worsen Dysautonomia symptoms.

Because of this, many patients explore holistic strategies from dietary shifts and lifestyle adjustments to targeted supplements.

💡 For example, if fatigue is a constant battle, Wellhistic’s BOOST may help support natural energy levels without the harsh side effects of stimulants. Likewise, for anxiety and nervous system overstimulation, CALM can provide gentle, non-addictive support.

📢 What’s Next?

This is just the beginning. In Part 2, we’ll cover 10 more medications commonly prescribed for Dysautonomia, how they compare to natural therapies, and what you should discuss with your doctor.

✅ Take the Next Step

• Take our Dysautonomia Symptom Quiz (linked here)

• Join our Support Community for guidance & resources

• Read our next blog: More Dysautonomia Medications

💙 At Wellhistic, we believe in blending the best of conventional and holistic medicine—helping you manage symptoms while working toward true root-cause healing.