New Release: Alpha testing version has been released.

Norepinephrine

C01C - Cardiac stimulants excl. cardiac glycosides ATC C01CA03 Small molecule approved 1950 Parenteral Natural product Black-box warning

JFDA label: Levophed Amp

⚠ Black-Box Warning
  • Antidote for extravasation ischemia:

Mechanism of Action

Stimulates beta1-adrenergic receptors and alpha-adrenergic receptors causing increased contractility and heart rate as well as vasoconstriction, thereby increasing systemic blood pressure and coronary blood flow; clinically, alpha effects (vasoconstriction) are greater than beta effects (inotropic and chronotropic effects)

Indications

Approved

  • Cardiogenic shock
  • Hypotension/shock
  • Septic shock

Contraindications

Source: Lexicomp

  • Hypotension from hypovolemia except as an emergency measure to maintain coronary and cerebral perfusion until volume could be replaced Absolute
  • during anesthesia with cyclopropane (not available in US) or halothane (not available in US) anesthesia Documentation of allergenic cross-reactivity for vasopressors is limited. However, because of similarities in chemical structure and/or pharmacologic actions, the possibility of cross-sensitivity can not be ruled out with certainty Absolute
  • mesenteric or peripheral vascular thrombosis unless it is a lifesaving procedure Absolute

Adverse Reactions

Very Common >10%Common 1–10%Uncommon 0.1–1% Rare 0.01–0.1%Very Rare <0.01%Not Known

Cardiac disorders (3)

Not Known Bradycardia · cardiac arrhythmia · peripheral ischemia (digital)

Nervous system disorders (2)

Not Known Anxiety · transient headache

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (1)

Not Known Skin necrosis (with extravasation)

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders (1)

Not Known Dyspnea

Dosing

Source: Lexicomp

Note: Dose is stated in terms of norepinephrine base. Hypotension/shock: Continuous IV infusion: Initial: 8 to 12 mcg/minute; titrate to desired response. Usual maintenance range: 2 to 4 mcg/minute; dosage range varies greatly depending on clinical situation. If patient remains hypotensive despite large doses, evaluate for occult hypovolemia and provide fluid resuscitation as appropriate. ACLS dosing range (weight-based dosing): Post cardiac arrest care: Initial: 0.1 to 0.5 mcg/kg/minute (7 to 35 mcg/minute in a 70 kg patient); titrate to desired response (AHA 2010) Cardiogenic shock (off-label dose): 0.05 to 0.4 mcg/kg/minute (AHA [van Diepen 2017]) Sepsis and septic shock (weight-based dosing): Range from clinical trials: 0.01 to 3 mcg/kg/minute (0.7 to 210 mcg/minute in a 70 kg patient) (Hollenberg 2004)
(For additional information see "Norepinephrine (noradrenaline): Pediatric drug information") Note: Dose is stated in terms of norepinephrine base. Hypotension/shock (off-label use): Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Continuous IV infusion: Initial: 0.05 to 0.1 mcg/kg/minute; titrate to desired effect; usual maximum dose: 2 mcg/kg/minute (Fuhrman 2011; PALS [Kleinman 2010]; Park 2014)
Refer to adult dosing.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Warnings & Precautions

Source: Lexicomp

Extravasation

Vesicant; ensure proper needle or catheter placement prior to and during infusion. Avoid extravasation; infuse into a large vein if possible. Avoid infusion into leg veins. Monitor IV site closely. [US Boxed Warning]: If extravasation occurs, infiltrate the area with diluted phentolamine (5 to 10 mg in saline) with a fine hypodermic needle. Phentolamine should be administered as soon as possible after extravasation is noted to prevent sloughing /necrosis. Disease-related concerns:

Hypoxia/hypercarbia

Use in patients with profound hypoxia or hypercarbia may produce ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation; use with extreme caution. Concurrent drug therapy issues:

Drug-drug interactions

Potentially significant interactions may exist, requiring dose or frequency adjustment, additional monitoring, and/or selection of alternative therapy. Consult drug interactions database for more detailed information. Dosage form specific issues:

Sodium metabisulfite

Product may contain sodium metabisulfite; use caution in patients with asthma or a sulfite allergy. Other warnings/precautions:

Administration

Administer infusions into a large vein, particularly an antecubital vein; some clinicians have indicated that the femoral vein is also an acceptable route. Avoid catheter tie-in technique, if possible. Avoid leg veins in elderly patients or in those suffering from occlusive disorders (eg, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, diabetic endarteritis, Buerger disease). Gangrene has been reported in a lower extremity when infusions were given in an ankle vein.

Appropriate use

Assure adequate circulatory volume to minimize need for vasoconstrictors. Avoid hypertension; monitor blood pressure closely and adjust infusion rate.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy

FDA category C Teratogenic

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted. Norepinephrine is an endogenous catecholamine and crosses the placenta (Minzter 2010; Wang 1999). Medications used for the treatment of cardiac arrest in pregnancy are the same as in the non-pregnant woman. Appropriate medications should not be withheld due to concerns of fetal teratogenicity. Norepinephrine use during the post-resuscitation phase may be considered; however, the effects of vasoactive medications on the fetus should also be considered. Doses and indications should follow current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support guidelines (Jeejeebhoy [AHA] 2015).

Lactation

It is not known if norepinephrine is present in breast milk. The manufacturer recommends that caution be exercised when administering norepinephrine to breastfeeding women.

Monitoring

Clinical pearlBlood pressure (or mean arterial pressure), heart rate; cardiac output (as appropriate), intravascular volume status, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (as appropriate); urine output, peripheral perfusion; monitor infusion site closely Consult individual institutional policies and procedures.

Chemistry & Properties

2D structure
FormulaC8H11NO3
Molecular weight169.18 g/mol
IUPAC name4-[(1R)-2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl]benzene-1,2-diol
CAS51-41-2
PubChem CID439260
InChIKeySFLSHLFXELFNJZ-QMMMGPOBSA-N
logP0.09 (XLogP -1.2)
Polar surface area86.71 Ų
H-bond acceptors / donors4 / 4
Drug-likeness (QED)0.47
Lipinski violations0
SMILESNC[C@H](O)c1ccc(O)c(O)c1

Biology & Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics predicted

Bioavailability70.0%
Half-life2.304 h
Volume of distribution1.001 L/kg
Protein binding19.9%
BBB penetrantNo

Receptor binding (top 8)

TargetActionAffinity
&beta;1-adrenoceptor (ADRB1) Agonist pEC50 7.9
&alpha;2B-adrenoceptor (ADRA2B) Agonist pIC50 7.8
&alpha;2B-adrenoceptor (ADRA2B) Agonist pEC50 7.8
&alpha;2C-adrenoceptor (ADRA2C) Agonist pEC50 7.7
&beta;3-adrenoceptor (ADRB3) Agonist pEC50 7.2
&alpha;2A-adrenoceptor (ADRA2A) Agonist pIC50 6.6
&beta;2-adrenoceptor (ADRB2) Agonist pEC50 6.4
&alpha;2A-adrenoceptor (ADRA2A) Agonist pEC50 5.3

Transporters

BCRP (Inhibitor)BSEP (Inhibitor)BSEP (Inhibitor)MATE1 (Inhibitor)MATE2 (Inhibitor)MRP1 (Inhibitor)OATP1B1 (Inhibitor)OATP1B1 (Inhibitor)OATP1B3 (Inhibitor)OATP1B3 (Inhibitor)OCT1 (Inhibitor)OCT2 (Inhibitor)OCT3 (Inhibitor)OCTN2 (Inhibitor)P-gp (Inhibitor)OCT1 (Substrate)OCT2 (Substrate)OCT3 (Substrate)P-gp (Substrate)

Drug–drug interactions (70, DDInter)

Interacting drugSeverityManagement
Cocaine (nasal) major
Cocaine (topical) major
Doxepin major
Acarbose moderate
Acetohexamide moderate
Albiglutide moderate
Alogliptin moderate
Canagliflozin moderate
Chlorpropamide moderate
Dapagliflozin moderate
Desmopressin moderate
Diethylpropion moderate
Doxapram moderate
Dulaglutide moderate
Empagliflozin moderate
Ertugliflozin moderate
Exenatide moderate
Formoterol moderate
Glimepiride moderate
Glipizide moderate
Glyburide moderate
Indacaterol moderate
Insulin aspart (aspart protamine) moderate
Insulin aspart (aspart) moderate
Insulin degludec moderate
Insulin detemir moderate
Insulin glargine moderate
Insulin glulisine moderate
Insulin human moderate
Insulin human (inhalation, rapid acting) moderate
Insulin human (isophane) moderate
Insulin human (regular) moderate
Insulin human (zinc extended) moderate
Insulin human (zinc) moderate
Insulin lispro moderate
Insulin lispro (protamine) moderate
Isoprenaline moderate
Levothyroxine moderate
Linagliptin moderate
Liothyronine moderate

Showing 40 of 70.

Registered Products (3)

BrandForm / strengthPackAgentCitizen (JOD)
Levophed Amp Ampoule 4 mg/4 ml 10 amp Petra Drug Store
Noradrenaline Aguettant (Sulphites Free) 1mg/ml Concentrate for solution for infusion Infusion 1 mg/ml 10 amp شركة مستودع ادوية جرينلاند
Noradrenaline Hikma Ampoule 4 mg/4 ml 10 amp Hikma Pharmaceuticals Co.Ltd/Jordan