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What is Levophed
NorepinephrineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryNorepinephrine is a hormone and neurotransmitter produced by the adrenal gland. It helps to regulate the body’s fight-or-flight response and is involved in the transmission of signals from the brain to parts of the body. It can also be found in plants and is used in medications to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system.
Levophedis the brand name
Levophed Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Levophed
Norepinephrine
1982
31
Effectiveness
How Levophed Affects PatientsNoradrenaline affects the two types of adrenergic receptors (alpha-1 and alpha-2), causing the blood vessels to constrict. When tested in the lab, noradrenaline causes an increase in blood pressure because it blocks the action of the receptors, which increases the amount of resistance in the blood vessels.
How Levophed works in the bodyNorepinephrine constricts blood vessels in the body, and also helps the heart beat stronger and increases the size of the arteries supplying it with blood. These effects are due to its activity on different types of adrenergic receptors.
When to interrupt dosage
The measure of Levophed is contingent upon the specified condition, such as Hypotension, Hypovolemic Shock and Hypotension. The extent of dosage is contingent upon the technique of delivery (e.g. Intravenous or Injection, solution) featured in the table beneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Hypotension
, 1.0 mg/mL, 0.016 mg/mL, 0.064 mg/mL, 0.032 mg/mL, 0.04 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous
Hypovolemic Shock
, 1.0 mg/mL, 0.016 mg/mL, 0.064 mg/mL, 0.032 mg/mL, 0.04 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
, 1.0 mg/mL, 0.016 mg/mL, 0.064 mg/mL, 0.032 mg/mL, 0.04 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous
Hypotension
, 1.0 mg/mL, 0.016 mg/mL, 0.064 mg/mL, 0.032 mg/mL, 0.04 mg/mL, 0.08 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Liquid, Liquid - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous
Warnings
Levophed has six contraindications and must not be implemented when experiencing any of the conditions in the following table.Levophed ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Hypoxia
Do Not Combine
mesenteric or peripheral vascular thrombosis
Do Not Combine
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Hypotension
Do Not Combine
Hypercarbia
Do Not Combine
Common Levophed Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
2,5-Dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine can be increased when used in combination with Norepinephrine.
2,5-Dimethoxy-4-ethylthioamphetamine
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-ethylthioamphetamine can be increased when used in combination with Norepinephrine.
4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine can be increased when used in combination with Norepinephrine.
Acebutolol
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Acebutolol can be increased when used in combination with Norepinephrine.
Amphetamine
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Amphetamine can be increased when used in combination with Norepinephrine.
Levophed Toxicity & Overdose RiskTaking large amounts of vasopressin, or taking it in combination with other medications, can cause poor circulation in the limbs and may even lead to tissue death.
Levophed Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Levophed?
34 active studies are investigating the potential of Levophed in treating Heart attack, Hypotension and Hypovolemic Shock.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Hypovolemic Shock
9 Actively Recruiting
Phase 4, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 2
Hypotension
0 Actively Recruiting
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
0 Actively Recruiting
Hypotension
0 Actively Recruiting
Levophed Reviews: What are patients saying about Levophed?
5Patient Review
10/16/20083Patient Review
8/24/20102Patient Review
11/30/2010 When I was septic due to drinking urine, this helped my blood pressure. However, I would not recommend it because it tastes terrible.
1Patient Review
7/10/2013 My father was given this treatment in the hospital and we were told he could only have it for a few days. When they stopped his drip, he died.
1Patient Review
2/5/2018 I had a terrible experience with this treatment. I was already in the hospital for DKA and then the trauma team started levophed through my IV. It caused me a lot of pain.
Patient Q&A Section about levophed
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.How quickly does Levophed work?
"After norepinephrine is administered intravenously, it quickly enters into a steady state. Its effects then wear off within 1-2 minutes after the infusion is stopped."
Answered by AI
What is the drug Levophed used for?
"Levophed works by constricting blood vessels and increasing blood pressure. This results in more blood flowing to the body's vital organs. Levophed is typically only given when other methods, such as IV fluids, have failed to increase blood pressure."
Answered by AI
Is Levophed a vasopressor?
"Vasopressors may be necessary for septic shock that does not improve after fluid resuscitation. Some commonly used vasopressors for septic shock include norepinephrine (Levophed), epinephrine, vasopressin, phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine), and dopamine."
Answered by AI
How does Levophed work in the body?
"The LEVOPHED solution has a pH of 3 to 4.5 and is displacing the air in the vials with nitrogen gas. LEVOPHED has an alpha-adrenergic action that functions as a peripheral vasoconstrictor, and it also has a beta-adrenergic action that functions as an inotropic stimulator of the heart and dilator of the coronary arteries."
Answered by AI