norepinephrine

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Pronunciation: nor ep i NEF rin

Brand: Levophed

What is the most important information I should know about norepinephrine?

Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as cold feeling anywhere in your body, blue lips or fingernails, trouble breathing, urinating less than usual, irritation or skin changes where the medicine is injected, slow heart rate, sudden numbness or weakness, confusion, severe headache, or problems with vision, speech, or balance.

What is norepinephrine?

Norepinephrine is similar to adrenaline. It works by constricting (narrowing) the blood vessels and increasing blood pressure and blood glucose (sugar) levels.

Norepinephrine is used to treat life-threatening low blood pressure (hypotension) that can occur with certain medical conditions or surgical procedures. This medication is often used during CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation).

Norepinephrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving norepinephrine?

If possible before you receive norepinephrine, tell your doctor if you have:

  • high blood pressure (hypertension);
  • diabetes;
  • coronary artery disease;
  • circulation problems;
  • varicose veins;
  • overactive thyroid; or
  • asthma or a sulfite allergy.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers about your health conditions. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows you have received this medicine.

It is not known whether norepinephrine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether norepinephrine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible before you are treated with norepinephrine to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medication.

How is norepinephrine given?

Norepinephrine is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a hospital or emergency setting.

Norepinephrine is usually given for as long as needed until your body responds to the medication. Some people must receive norepinephrine for several days.

Your blood pressure, breathing, and other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving norepinephrine.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any pain, irritation, cold feeling, or other discomfort of your skin or veins where the medicine is injected. Norepinephrine can damage the skin or tissues around the injection site if the medication accidentally leaks out of the vein.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since norepinephrine is given by a healthcare professional in an emergency setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include slow heart rate or severe headache, sweating, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, pale skin, and stabbing chest pain.

What should I avoid while receiving norepinephrine?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of norepinephrine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

  • pain, burning, irritation, discoloration, or skin changes where the injection is given;
  • sudden numbness, weakness, or cold feeling anywhere in your body;
  • slow or uneven heart rate;
  • blue lips or fingernails, mottled skin;
  • little or no urinating;
  • trouble breathing;
  • problems with vision, speech, or balance; or
  • dangerously high blood pressure -severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect norepinephrine?

If possible before you receive norepinephrine, tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

  • blood pressure medications;
  • an MAO inhibitor --isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others; or
  • an antidepressant --amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, protriptyline, trimipramine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with norepinephrine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about norepinephrine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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