Norepinephrine
About
Norepinephrine belongs to a class of medications called antihypotensives primarily used to treat hypotensive (low blood pressure) emergencies. Hypotension is a condition in which the blood flows through the blood vessels at lower than normal pressures. Low blood pressure symptoms include tiredness, dizziness, light-headedness, loss of consciousness, nausea, depression, blurry vision, or clammy (wet or sweaty) skin.
Norepinephrine contains Norepinephrine that works by constricting and narrowing blood vessels by acting on alpha receptors that cause muscle contractions. Thus, it increases heart rate and blood pressure.
You are advised to take Norepinephrine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience headaches, anxiety, tremor, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, high blood pressure, or urinary retention. Most of these side effects of Norepinephrine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Norepinephrine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is not recommended for children. If you have irregular heartbeats, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), diabetes, angina pectoris (chest pain), vascular blockage in limbs or stomach, any heart problems, or if you recently had a heart attack, inform your doctor before taking Norepinephrine. If it is essential to administer Norepinephrine simultaneously as plasma or blood transfusion, plasma or blood may be administered in a separate drip.
Uses of Norepinephrine
Medicinal Benefits
Norepinephrine contains Norepinephrine used in the treatment of hypotensive (low blood pressure) emergencies. Norepinephrine constricts and narrows blood vessels by acting on alpha receptors that cause muscle contractions. Thus, Norepinephrine redirects blood to heart and brain by narrowing blood vessels in the extremities, which increases heart rate and blood pressure. Norepinephrine is used to restore blood pressure to normal in emergencies that require an immediate rise in blood pressure to a normal level.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Norepinephrine
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Tremor
- Difficulty in breathing
- Vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Urinary retention
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Norepinephrine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is not recommended for children. If you have irregular heartbeats, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), diabetes, angina pectoris (chest pain) or any vascular blockage in limbs or stomach, any heart problems, or if you recently had a heart attack, inform your doctor before taking Norepinephrine. If it is essential to administer Norepinephrine at the same time as plasma or blood transfusion, plasma or blood may be administered in a separate drip. Norepinephrine is not recommended for patients suffering from low blood pressure caused by hypovolaemia (low blood volume).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Norepinephrine may interact with antidepressants (imipramine, duloxetine, venlafaxine, phenelzine, moclobemide), antibiotic (linezolid), methemoglobinemia antidote (methylene blue).
Drug-Food Interactions: Norepinephrine may interact with caffeine. Therefore, avoid or limit caffeine intake such as tea, cola, chocolate, coffee and some herbal supplements while taking Norepinephrine as it may increase the adverse effects of Norepinephrine.
Drug-Disease Interactions: If you have irregular heartbeats, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), diabetes, angina pectoris (chest pain) or any vascular blockage in limbs or stomach, any heart problems or if you recently had a heart attack, inform your doctor before taking Norepinephrine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionInteraction of Norepinephrine with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Norepinephrine.
Pregnancy
cautionNorepinephrine is a category C pregnancy drug and is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionNorepinephrine is given to breastfeeding women only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks. Please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionDrive only if you are alert after taking Norepinephrine. However, Norepinephrine is generally given for hospitalised patients.
Liver
cautionNorepinephrine should be given with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionNorepinephrine should be given with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeNorepinephrine is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat small meals more frequently.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated as dehydration may reduce blood volume resulting in low blood pressure.
- Include vitamin B12-rich foods such as animal meats, eggs, fortified cereals, and nutritional yeast.
- Eat foods rich in folates such as beans, asparagus, lentils, leafy greens, citrus fruits, liver, and eggs.
- Try to eat smoked fish, canned soup, pickled items, cottage cheese, and olives as salty foods can also increase blood pressure.
- Take frequent breaks if you exercise outdoors in extreme heat.
- Avoid spending a long time in hot tubs, steam rooms, and saunas to prevent dehydration.
Special Advise
Regular monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure are recommended while taking Norepinephrine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Blood pressure is the measurement of the heart's force to pump blood to all parts of the body. Hypotension is a condition in which the blood flows through the blood vessels at lower than normal pressures. Low blood pressure symptoms include dizziness, tiredness, lightheadedness, loss of consciousness, nausea, depression, blurry vision, or clammy (wet or sweaty) skin. Blood pressure can be measured with the help of a blood pressure monitor or sphygmomanometer. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is the pressure when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 90/60 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg and, diastolic pressure is 60 mm of Hg. Normal blood pressure lies in between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg. If the blood pressure is 90/60 mmHg or lower, it is considered low blood pressure.
FAQs
Norepinephrine contains Norepinephrine that works by constricting and narrowing blood vessels by acting on alpha receptors that causes muscle contractions. Thus, it increases heart rate and blood pressure.
You are not recommended to take duloxetine (antidepressant) with Norepinephrine as co-administration of these two medicines may increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart rate. However, please consult your doctor before taking other medicines with Norepinephrine.
Norepinephrine should be used with caution in patients suffering from heart rhythm disorders as it may increase the risk of severe adverse effects. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have any heart problems before taking Norepinephrine so that the dose may be adjusted appropriately or an alternate medicine may be prescribed.
You are recommended to take Norepinephrine with caution if you have diabetes as it may increase blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is advised to inform your doctor if you have diabetes before taking Norepinephrine.
Norepinephrine may cause a headache as a temporary side effect. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
