Effects of Norepinephrine

Norepinephrine is used to treat dangerously low blood pressure and glucose. It acts somewhat like adrenaline and speeds up the heart rate by narrowing blood vessels. Norepinephrine is used in medical settings through intravenous injection into large veins or arteries. It is often used alongside CPR while trying to stimulate heartbeat and breathing. Unfortunately, it has some unwarranted side effects and can cause dangerous conditions for certain patients.

On Cardiovascular System

• One side effect is high blood pressure, usually exhibited as headache, a sharp pain in the chest, sensitivity to light, pallor, profuse sweating and sometimes vomiting. Other effects of norepinephrine injection include narrowing of blood vessels, deficiency in oxygen reaching body tissue, and a reduction of pumping done by vital organs such as the kidneys, heart and liver. The heart can also develop a slow or irregular beat.

On Nervous System

• Nervous system responses are usually the result of high blood pressure and perhaps hypersensitivity to the norepinephrine. Typical nervous system responses are anxiety and fear, headache and increased sensitivity to light sources. Upon the finding of these symptoms, the dosage may have to be reduced to cause less stress and the appearance of further symptoms.

Hypersensitivity

• Hypersensitive reactions have been recorded, and "adrenergic urticaria" have been noticed, which are hives produced by adrenaline. Psychological stress along with urticaria or hives has been observed with the use of amines, which are drugs such as epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. Anxiety, sensitivity to light and sound, panic attacks and feelings of unreality may be identified as further signs of psychological stress resulting from hypersensitivity.

Other Serious Effects

• Other serious effects of norepinephrine involve allergic swelling of face, lips, tongue, mouth and throat. Aside from these respiratory problems, nausea and vomiting, cold sensations in extremities, blue lips or fingernails, lessened frequency or no urination, irritation at injection site, sudden numbness or weakness, and impairments such as confusion, slurred speech or vision all indicate serious interactions and should be corrected by medical professionals immediately.

Conclusion

• Before taking norepinephrine, patients should be sure to tell doctors if they experience high blood pressure (hypertension), overactive thyroid, asthma or a sulfite allergy, as these may interfere with it. They should also be sure to warn doctors immediately if they suffer any serious effects from norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is a life-saving drug, but it is also dangerous to some people.