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Heart & blood

Vasopressin

Also called ADH

EvidenceFDA approved

ClassV1/V2 receptor agonist

Vasopressin (Vasostrict) is an FDA-approved hormone used in intensive care to raise blood pressure. Learn how it works, its uses, and side effects.

Reviewed by: William Maish, MD MBA MPH, Clinical Product Lead
Published: October 5, 2026
Last updated: October 5, 2026

Key takeaway

Vasopressin (sold as Vasostrict) is a synthetic copy of the body's antidiuretic hormone, used in intensive care to raise blood pressure in patients whose blood vessels have lost tone despite other treatment. It tightens blood vessels through a pathway independent of the usual catecholamine drugs. The formally approved product has been FDA-approved in the U.S. since 2014 and is given as a continuous intravenous infusion.

At a glance

What it is	Synthetic arginine vasopressin, a vasoconstrictor and antidiuretic hormone
Approved for	Raising blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory (for example septic) shock who remain low despite fluids and catecholamines
Key fact	In the VASST trial, adding vasopressin to norepinephrine did not reduce overall mortality versus norepinephrine alone
Route	Intravenous infusion
Evidence strength	FDA approved

What is vasopressin?

Vasopressin, sold under the brand Vasostrict, is a synthetic form of arginine vasopressin, the hormone the body releases to conserve water and, at higher levels, to constrict blood vessels. In critical care it is used as a vasopressor, a drug that raises dangerously low blood pressure. Although vasopressin had been used clinically for many years under older marketing arrangements, Vasostrict became the first fully FDA-approved vasopressin injection in 2014.

How does vasopressin work?

Vasopressin raises blood pressure mainly through V1a receptors on the smooth muscle of blood vessels, and it also acts at the kidney's V2 receptors. The table below compares the two.

Receptor	Where it sits	Effect of activation
V1a	Smooth muscle of blood vessels	Triggers the vessel wall to contract, increasing systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure
V2	Kidney	Promotes water reabsorption, its antidiuretic effect

Importantly, this blood-pressure action works through a different signaling pathway than the catecholamine vasopressors such as norepinephrine, so vasopressin can add blood-pressure support when those drugs alone are not enough, including in states where their receptors have become less responsive.

In vasodilatory shock, such as septic shock, the blood vessels are pathologically relaxed, and vasopressin helps restore tone. The evidence shows it supports blood pressure but does not necessarily improve survival: in the VASST trial, adding low-dose vasopressin to norepinephrine did not reduce¹ 28-day mortality compared with norepinephrine alone, though a subgroup with less severe shock showed possible benefit. It is used to maintain pressure and reduce the dose of other vasopressors.

Is it FDA-approved?

Yes. Vasopressin injection (Vasostrict) received full FDA approval² in 2014 to raise blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluids and catecholamines. It is given as a continuous intravenous infusion in a monitored setting.

What is vasopressin prescribed for?

Vasopressin is used to increase blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock, such as septic or post-cardiotomy shock, who are not responding adequately to fluid resuscitation and catecholamine vasopressors. It is an intensive-care medication, not an outpatient treatment.

What are the side effects?

According to the prescribing information, common side effects include:

Decreased cardiac output
Slowed heart rate or arrhythmia

More serious considerations include:

Reduced blood flow to the heart, gut, fingers, toes, or skin, which can cause tissue damage
Low blood sodium
Tissue injury if the infusion leaks out of the vein

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Sources: FDA prescribing information for Vasostrict; the VASST trial (Russell et al., The New England Journal of Medicine, 2008, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa067373¹), indexed on PubMed. This document is educational and does not constitute medical advice.