Conditions and symptoms
What Is Orthostatic Hypotension? Dizziness on Standing
Orthostatic hypotension · say it: or-thoh-STAT-ik hy-po-TEN-shunAlso written: postural hypotension, postural drop, dizziness on standing
Short answer
Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure when you stand up, which can make you dizzy, light-headed or faint.
What it means
Orthostatic (or postural) hypotension means blood pressure falls when you stand up from sitting or lying down. Normally the body adjusts within seconds; when it does not, you may feel dizzy, light-headed, have blurred vision or faint. It is more common in older people, with dehydration, and with some medicines and conditions.
Labels for many medicines warn about it, including some blood pressure medicines, alpha-blockers for the prostate, some antidepressants, antipsychotics, Parkinson's medicines and erectile dysfunction medicines. The risk is usually highest when starting or after a dose increase. The warning is telling you to get up slowly, sit back down if you feel dizzy, and take care to avoid falls, especially at night.
Orthostatic hypotension is a specific type of hypotension (low blood pressure) linked to standing. Dizziness from the inner ear (vertigo), where the room seems to spin, is a different problem.
Where you may see it
- Leaflets for alpha-blockers, antipsychotics and blood pressure medicines
- Clinic notes with lying and standing blood pressure readings
- Falls clinic letters
📄 How it looks on a report
Lying and standing blood pressure: significant postural drop noted.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Feeling briefly light-headed now and then on standing is common and is not always a problem.
- It does not mean you should stop a medicine on your own; talk to your prescriber.
- It is not the same as vertigo, where the room seems to spin.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Orthostatic hypotension”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Orthostatic hypotension”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Aripiprazole
an atypical antipsychotic medicine
- Atenolol
a beta-blocker (beta-adrenergic blocker). The label describes it as a beta 1-selective, or cardioselective, blocking agent.
- Furosemide
A loop diuretic, a type of medicine that helps the body get rid of extra fluid through urine
- Ivermectin
An antiparasitic medicine, sometimes called a worm-killing medicine (anthelmintic), that the FDA lists as an antiparasitic and pediculicide
- Olanzapine
An atypical antipsychotic, a prescription medicine used for certain mental health conditions
- Risperidone
an atypical antipsychotic medicine
- Tamsulosin
An alpha-blocker medicine. The label calls it an alpha 1 adrenoceptor antagonist that acts on the prostate. The FDA class is not listed.
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Orthostatic hypotension” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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