Skin
Medicines for Pressure sores
Damage to the skin and underlying tissue caused by sustained pressure, usually in people with limited mobility — largely preventable and needing prompt care.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Pressure sores?
Pressure sores (pressure ulcers or bedsores) are areas of damage to the skin and the tissue beneath it, caused by sustained pressure, or pressure combined with rubbing or shear, that reduces the blood supply to the skin. They develop most easily over bony parts of the body — such as the heels, hips, base of the spine (sacrum), elbows and back of the head — in people who cannot move easily, for example due to illness, immobility, or spending long periods in a bed or chair.
- How it is treated: Prevention is the priority and is highly effective: regularly changing position and relieving pressure, using pressure-relieving mattresses and cushions, keeping the skin clean and dry, good nutrition and hydration, and checking at-risk skin regularly.
- Self-care: For at-risk people and their carers: changing position regularly, using pressure-relieving mattresses and cushions, keeping skin clean and dry, eating and drinking well, and checking skin over bony areas daily all help prevent pressure sores.
- When to seek help: See a GP or nurse promptly about any area of discoloured, damaged or broken skin over a bony area in someone with limited mobility.
What it is
Pressure sores (pressure ulcers or bedsores) are areas of damage to the skin and the tissue beneath it, caused by sustained pressure, or pressure combined with rubbing or shear, that reduces the blood supply to the skin. They develop most easily over bony parts of the body — such as the heels, hips, base of the spine (sacrum), elbows and back of the head — in people who cannot move easily, for example due to illness, immobility, or spending long periods in a bed or chair. Early signs include a patch of discoloured skin (which may not turn white when pressed), and skin that feels warm, spongy or hard; if not addressed, this can break down into an open sore that may deepen and become infected. Other factors such as poor nutrition, moisture, and reduced sensation increase the risk. They are largely preventable, which is a key focus of care.
How it is treated
Prevention is the priority and is highly effective: regularly changing position and relieving pressure, using pressure-relieving mattresses and cushions, keeping the skin clean and dry, good nutrition and hydration, and checking at-risk skin regularly. When a pressure sore develops, prompt treatment is important to stop it worsening: relieving pressure from the area, wound care appropriate to the depth, managing moisture, treating any infection, and ensuring good nutrition to support healing. Deeper or complex ulcers may need specialist tissue-viability input, and severe ones can take a long time to heal. Because they can develop quickly and cause serious complications, at-risk people (in hospital, care homes or at home) have their skin assessed and pressure managed, and carers are supported to help prevent them.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Pressure sores
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
For at-risk people and their carers: changing position regularly, using pressure-relieving mattresses and cushions, keeping skin clean and dry, eating and drinking well, and checking skin over bony areas daily all help prevent pressure sores.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
See a GP or nurse promptly about any area of discoloured, damaged or broken skin over a bony area in someone with limited mobility. Seek urgent care if a sore is deep, spreading, or shows signs of infection (increasing redness, pain, swelling, discharge or fever).
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Pressure sores: frequently asked questions
How can pressure sores be prevented?
By regularly changing position and relieving pressure, using pressure-relieving mattresses and cushions, keeping skin clean and dry, eating and drinking well, and checking at-risk skin daily. Prevention is highly effective.
Where do pressure sores usually develop?
Over bony parts of the body under sustained pressure — commonly the heels, hips, base of the spine, elbows and back of the head — in people who cannot move easily.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CG179 — Pressure ulcers
- NHS — Pressure ulcers (pressure sores)
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