What is Norepinephrine Used for?

Norepinephrine is a chemical produced by the adrenal glands that functions as both a hormone and as a neurotransmitter. It functions to prepare the body to act and react under extreme pressure. It is also administered as a drug.

Function

• Norephinephrine is prescribed for conditions where the blood pressure is lower than usual, such as in blood transfusions or myocardial infarctions.

Features

• It is also used to stimulate the body's defense response during emergencies, as in dangerously low blood pressure and cardiac arrest.

Identification

• Norepinephrine is a fight-or-flight hormone called a catecholamine. Catecholamines work are a component of the sympathetic nervous system, the part of the nervous system that reacts to stress.

Breathing

• Norepinephrine is released to respond to brief periods of stress. It opens up the breathing airways by relaxing its muscles.

Glucose

• It also increases the production of glucose, through glycogenolysis--a process that converts the glycogen stores into glucose. This increases the amount of "fuel" circulating in the body during this imposing stress.

Fat Stores

• Under stress, norepinephrine also increases the body's conversion of stored fats, which also act as an energy source, as well as protection of the cells from damage.