Levophed

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Generic Name: Noradrenaline acid tartrate
Product Name: Levophed

Indication of Levophed
Action of Levophed
Dose advice of Levophed
Schedule of Levophed
Common side effects of Levophed
Uncommon side effects of Levophed

Indication of Levophed:

Levophed is indicated in the treatment of acute episodes of low blood pressure and may be used in the management of cardiac arrest.

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Action of Levophed:

Levophed stimulates receptors in the heart, resulting in constriction of peripheral blood vessels, dilatation of the vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood; and an increase in the strength of heart muscle contractions. Levophed increases the pressure with which blood is pumped through the body and increases the blood flow to the heart.

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Dose advice of Levophed:

2 mL of 1:1,000 Levophed solution is diluted in 500 mL 5% dextrose in water or 5% dextrose in normal saline. 1mL of this dilute solution contains 4 micrograms of noradrenaline.

The initial dose is 2-3mL per minute of diluted Levophed (ie 8-12 micrograms of noradrenaline) administered intravenously.

The patient will be observed and the blood pressure monitored to assess the response to the medication. The infusion rate will be adjusted to maintain a systolic blood pressure of 80-100 mmHg (higher in patients known to have previously had high blood pressure).

A common maintenance dose is 0.5-1mL per minute. Some patients may require treatment for several days. Levophed should be withdrawn gradually.

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Schedule of Levophed:

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Common side effects of Levophed:

Anxiety Headache

Skin reaction at the injection site

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Uncommon side effects of Levophed:

The following side effects may occur with Levophed:

Low blood pressure after withdrawal of the medication

Slow heart rate

If Levophed is given to a patient whose blood volume is low, poor circulation of blood to the tissues and therefore poor oxygen delivery may occur in spite of normal blood pressure.

Overdoses of Levophed may cause severe hypertension) (high blood pressure) which may cause symptoms such as severe headache, visual sensitivity to light, chest pain, pale skin, sweating or vomiting.

Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)

Difficulty breathing

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