What are some of the main medical treatments for Raynaud’s phenomenon?

    Written by:
    Bill Willis

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    Katie Jantz, Conni Covington
    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    The main medical treatments for Raynaud's phenomenon aim to reduce the severity and frequency of attacks while improving blood flow, starting with conservative lifestyle changes. If these are ineffective, medications such as alpha-receptor blockers, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, calcium-channel blockers, endothelin-1 inhibitors, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be prescribed.

    The main medical treatments for Raynaud’s are focused on reducing the severity and frequency of attacks and improving blood flow. Early treatments for Raynaud’s typically involve conservative therapies focused on lifestyle changes to avoid the circumstances that trigger attacks. This can include limiting cold exposure, avoiding stimulants such as caffeine[1] or ADHD medications such as Ritalin (methylphenidate)[2], and managing stress.

    If conservative treatments fail, the following medications may be used to treat blood vessel constriction:

    • Alpha-receptor blockers[3]
    • Phosphodiesterase inhibitors[4]
    • Calcium-channel blockers[5]
    • Endothelin-1 inhibitors[6]
    • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)[7]
    What are some of the main medical treatments for Raynaud’s phenomenon? - Examine