Vasodilator

Vasodilators are a family of drugs which cause blood vessels, arteries and veins to widen, making it easier for blood to flow around the body.

They can be divided into two main groups :

Regional vasodilators, such as are found in Lasonil, work on a small are of the body, and are applied either by injection or by applying directly to the skin. They encourage healing and reduce inflammation. There is little risk in being modified while using regional vasodilators on another area of the body, although tattooing or piercing an area which has recently had a regional vasodilator applied may lead to a significant increase in bleeding.

Systemic vasodilators are usually taken in tablet form (such as diazepam) or under-the-tongue spray (such as nitrates). Their use in the civilian medical world is to treat a number of conditions, mainly heart failure and angina.

As systemic vasodilators can lead to breathing difficulties, lightheadedness and lowering of blood pressure (making fainting and withdrawal into shock more likely), it is unwise to undergo modification whilst taking these drugs without reference to your doctor.