The maximal pressor response to water is reached when other pressor agents are only beginning to act. In addition to the therapeutic value of water ingestion alone, the blood pressure-raising effects of agents that increase sympathetic nervous system tone, such as phenylpropanolamine, are potentiated by water drinking. These drug interaction effects can be exploited in the treatment of orthostatic hypotension with the combination of water and a sympathomimetic potentially able to increase blood pressure to a greater extent and for a longer period of time than either water or the medication alone. However, the interaction can also lead to potentially dangerous blood pressure surges.