Not everyone with cirrhosis has varices and not everyone with varices will bleed. In general, small varices rarely bleed and bigger ones may bleed. Small varices however, may well develop into large varices over time.
For those people who have varices and are likely to bleed, treatment with drugs can sometimes reduce the risk of bleeding and reduce the severity of any bleed should it occur. The drug most commonly used is propranolol. As with all drugs, not everyone is suitable and some people have side-effects. Alternative methods may sometimes be used for those who are at risk of bleeding.