Levophed Bitartrate (Intravenous)

Generic name:norepinephrine (intravenous route)
Drug classes:Catecholamines, Vasopressors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Levophed
• Levophed Bitartrate

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Vasopressor

Pharmacologic Class: Norepinephrine

Uses for Levophed Bitartrate

Norepinephrine injection is used to raise blood pressure in patients with severe, acute hypotension (short-term low blood pressure).

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using Levophed Bitartrate

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of norepinephrine injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of norepinephrine injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving this medicine.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Dihydroergotamine
• Isocarboxazid
• Phenelzine
• ...