What medicine should you take for subarachnoid hemorrhage?
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a severe neurological emergency usually caused by rupture of an intracranial aneurysm or trauma. Among the hot topics on the Internet recently, discussions about the treatment and medication of SAH are relatively concentrated. This article will combine the hot content of the past 10 days to conduct a structured analysis of the drug treatment options for SAH and provide relevant data reference.
1. Commonly used drugs for subarachnoid hemorrhage

Medical treatment of SAH aims to control symptoms, prevent complications, and reduce the risk of rebleeding. The following are the classification and functions of commonly used clinical drugs:
| drug type | Representative medicine | Mechanism of action | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| antihypertensive drugs | Nimodipine, Labetalol | Control blood pressure and reduce the risk of further bleeding | Blood pressure needs to be monitored to avoid excessive lowering of blood pressure |
| painkillers | Acetaminophen, morphine | Relieve severe headaches | Avoid antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin |
| antifibrinolytic drugs | tranexamic acid | Inhibit fibrinolytic system and reduce rebleeding | May increase risk of blood clots |
| antiepileptic drugs | Sodium valproate, levetiracetam | Prevent epileptic seizures | The dose needs to be adjusted according to the patient's condition |
2. Recent hot discussions: Controversy and progress in SAH medication
1.Controversy over the use of nimodipine: Nimodipine is the first-line drug for preventing cerebral vasospasm after SAH, but recent studies have suggested that its efficacy may be overestimated, and some patients need to be combined with other calcium antagonists.
2.New evidence for tranexamic acid: A 2023 Meta-analysis showed that early use of tranexamic acid can reduce the rebleeding rate in patients with SAH, but strict monitoring of thrombotic events is required.
3.Exploration of targeted therapy: In recent clinical trials, endothelin receptor antagonists (such as clazosentan) have shown potential in preventing delayed cerebral ischemia, but more data are needed.
3. Medication precautions for patients with SAH
| stage | Medication focus | FAQ |
|---|---|---|
| Acute phase (0-72 hours) | Antihypertensive, analgesic, antifibrinolytic | Blood pressure fluctuates greatly and headaches are difficult to control |
| Subacute phase (3-14 days) | Prevent vasospasm and fight epilepsy | Peak period of cerebral vasospasm |
| Recovery period (>14 days) | Neuroprotection, rehabilitation treatment | Cognitive Impairment Management |
4. Answers to frequently asked questions by patients
1.Can I take aspirin after SAH?
Aspirin is contraindicated in the acute phase, and the recovery phase must be determined after evaluation by a neurosurgeon.
2.How to choose headache medicine?
Acetaminophen is preferred, and opioids may be used short-term for severe pain.
3.Do I need to take medicine for a long time?
Depending on the cause, aneurysmal SAH may require long-term antihypertensive therapy after surgery.
5. Summary
The medical treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage requires an individualized plan that combines blood pressure management, prevention of complications, and treatment of the cause. Recent studies suggest that antifibrinolytic drugs and targeted therapies may improve prognosis, but traditional drugs such as nimodipine remain the basis. Patients should strictly follow the doctor's instructions to take medication and have regular follow-up visits to evaluate the efficacy.
Note: The content of this article is based on the latest updates from medical forums, PubMed and clinical guidelines in the past 10 days. The data is as of October 2023.
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