Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine)

How does it work?

Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) tartrate is a substance released naturally by the nerve cells. It produces wide ranging effects on many areas of the body and is often referred to as a 'fight or flight' chemical, as it is responsible for the body's reaction to stressful situations. Noradrenaline normally produces effects such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, dilation of pupils, dilation of air passages in the lungs and narrowing of blood vessels in non-essential organs. This enables the body to perform well in stressful situations. Noradrenaline works by stimulating receptors (adrenoceptors) which are found all over the body. When injected into a vein, noradrenaline acts mostly on a type of adrenoceptor known as an alpha receptor. These are present in the muscle within the walls of blood vessels of the extremities. By stimulating these alpha receptors, noradrenaline causes the muscle to contract. This results in narrowing of the blood vessels. Narrowing the blood vessels in the extremities redirects blood to essential organs such as the heart and brain. It also produces greater resistance for the heart to beat against, and this increases blood pressure. Noradrenaline is used to restore blood pressure to normal in emergency situations when blood pressure has dropped dangerously low.

What is it used for?

Sudden, life threatening low blood pressure (acute hypotension)

Warning!

Blood pressure should be checked frequently throughout treatment

Leakage of this medicine from the veins at the site of injection can cause death of the tissue in that area. The infusion site should be checked frequently.

Use with caution in

A severe form of angina pectoris, not caused by exertion

Abnormally high amount of carbon dioxide in the blood (hypercarbia)

Blood clot in one of the blood vessels in the extremities (peripheral vascular thrombosis)

Blood clot in the artery which supplies blood to the heart

Blood clot in the artery which supplies blood to the intestines (mesenteric thrombosis)

Elderly people

Low blood pressure following a heart attack

Low levels of oxygen in the tissues (hypoxia)

Not to be used in

Children

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

There is no information available regarding the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Inadequate blood flow leading to low levels of oxygen in the tissues of the extremities (peripheral ischaemia), which may lead to gangrene

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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