Vasodilator drugs

Vasodilator drugs are drugs that produce vasodilation

Compounds may be grouped as endogenous and exogenous.

Exogenous vasodilators

 * Absence of high levels of environmental noise
 * Absence of high levels of illumination
 * Adenocard - Adenosine agonist, primarily used as an anti-arrhythmic.
 * Alpha blockers (block the vasoconstricting effect of adrenaline).
 * Amyl nitrite and other nitrites are often used recreationally as a vasodilator, causing lightheadedness and a euphoric feeling.
 * Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) - a weak vasodilator.
 * Ethanol
 * Histamine-inducers
 * Complement proteins C3a, C4a and C5a work by triggering histamine release from mast cells and basophil granulocytes.
 * Nitric oxide inducers
 * Glyceryl trinitrate (commonly known as Nitroglycerin)
 * Isosorbide mononitrate & Isosorbide dinitrate
 * Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN)
 * Sodium nitroprusside
 * PDE5 inhibitors: these agents indirectly increase the effects of nitric oxide
 * Sildenafil (Viagra)
 * Tadalafil
 * Vardenafil
 * Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the major active chemical in marijuana. Its mild vasodilating effects redden the eyes of cannabis smokers.
 * Theobromine.
 * Papaverine an alkaloid found in the opium poppy papaver somniferum