Download norepinephrine

norepinephrine
Pronunciation: nor ep i NEF rin
Brand: Levophed Bitartrate
What is the most important information I should know about norepinephrine?
• If possible before receiving norepinephrine, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery
disease, circulation problems, varicose veins, overactive thyroid, asthma, or a sulfite allergy.
• Also tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially blood pressure medication or an antidepressant.
• In an emergency situation it may not be possible before you are treated to tell your caregivers about your health
conditions or if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have
received this medication.
• 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:
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high blood pressure (hypertension);
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diabetes;
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coronary artery disease;
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circulation problems;
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varicose veins;
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overactive thyroid; or
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asthma or a sulfite allergy.
• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether norepinephrine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
• It is not known whether norepinephrine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling 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:
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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;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
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:
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blood pressure medications;
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an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect),
selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); or
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil),
desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan, Silenor), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor),
protriptyline (Vivactil), or trimipramine (Surmontil).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with norepinephrine. Tell your doctor about all medications you
use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without
telling your doctor.
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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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directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
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Copyright 1996-2012 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.01. Revision Date: 6/15/2012.