Norepinephrine

Norepinephrine works like adrenaline. It is used to treat serious low blood pressure (hypotension) that can happen because of some medical conditions or during surgeries. Norepinephrine is frequently used during CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation).

Norepinephrine may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Tell your caregivers right away if you experience a serious side effect like feeling cold anywhere in your body, having blue lips or fingernails, trouble breathing, little or no urination, irritation or changes in the skin where the medicine was injected, a slow heart rate, sudden numbness or weakness, a severe headache, or issues with vision, speech, or balance.

If you can, before you receive norepinephrine, inform your caregivers if you have:

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

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

In an emergency, you might not be able to tell caregivers about your health conditions or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ensure that any doctor taking care of you afterward is aware that you received norepinephrine.

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

Tell your caregivers right away if you have:

• pain, burning, irritation, discoloration, or skin changes where the injection was 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 urination;
• trouble breathing;
• problems with vision, speech, or balance; or
• severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears.

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.

Norepinephrine is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

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 medicine accidentally leaks out of the vein.

Since norepinephrine is given by a healthcare professional in an emergency setting, you are unlikely to miss a dose.

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

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

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

If you can, before you receive norepinephrine, inform your doctor about all the other medicines you are taking, especially:

• an antidepressant;
• blood pressure medication; or
• an MAO inhibitor--isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect norepinephrine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.