Terlipressin inhibits portal hypertension with simultaneous reduction of blood circulation in portal vessels. The administration of terlipressin serves the emergency care for acute bleeding oesophageal varices until endoscopic therapy is available. Afterwards the adminstration of terlipressin for the treatment of oesophageal varices is usually an adjuvant therapy to the endoscopic haemostasis. Terlipressin can also be used to reduce early secondary haemorrhage. Clinical trials support the use in hepatorenal syndrome.