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February 10, 2012
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Medications and Drugs

Brand Names: Levophed Bitartrate

Generic Name: norepinephrine (Pronunciation: nor ep i NEF rin)

What is norepinephrine (Levophed Bitartrate)?

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 other than those listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of norepinephrine (Levophed Bitartrate)?

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

Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your arms and legs, trouble breathing, nausea with vomiting;
  • fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;
  • blue lips or fingernails, mottled skin;
  • urinating less than usual or not at all;
  • irritation of the skin or vein where the medicine is injected;
  • sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; or
  • sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about norepinephrine (Levophed Bitartrate)?

Before receiving norepinephrine, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure (hypertension), overactive thyroid, asthma, or a sulfite allergy.

Tell your caregivers right away about any serious side effects such as muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling, trouble breathing, urinating less than usual, irritation of the skin or vein where the medicine is injected, uneven heart rate, sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, or sudden headache, confusion, or problems with vision, speech, or balance.

Symptoms of a norepinephrine overdose may include slow heart rate, severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, increased sensitivity to light, stabbing chest or back pain, pale skin, sweating, vomiting, or seizure (convulsions).


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Brand Names:
Levophed Bitartrate
[+]

Generic Name:
norepinephrine
[+]

Low Blood Pressure »

Low Blood Pressure Overview

Low blood pressure is a difficult clinical finding for a healthcare provider to address. While high blood pressure is known as the "silent killer," because it is associated with few acute symptoms, hypotension (hypo=low + tension=pressure) may be normal for a patient if it is without symptoms, but can be of great importance if it is associated with abnormal body function. Sometimes low is good, a goal to be achieved in keeping blood pressure under control. Sometimes low is bad because there is not enough pressure to provide blood flow to the organs of the body.

Blood pressure readings have two parts and are expressed as a ratio:

  • "Normal" blood pressure, for example is 120/80 (120 over 80) and measures the pressure within the arteries of the body.

  • Systolic pressure, the upper number, measures the pressure within the arteries when the heart is contracting (systo...

Read the Low Blood Pressure article »


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