Norepinephrine Bitartrate and Pitressin

• Generic Name: norepinephrine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Levophed, Levophed Bitartrate

Used as adjunctive therapy to produce vasoconstriction and maintain BP in the management of certain acute hypotensive states (e.g., pheochromocytomectomy, sympathectomy, poliomyelitis, spinal anesthesia, MI, septicemia, blood transfusion, drug reactions).

Pressor therapy is not a substitute for replacement of blood, plasma, fluids, and/or electrolytes. Correct blood volume depletion as fully as possible before administration.

The Surviving Sepsis Campaign International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock recommend norepinephrine as the vasopressor of choice in adults with septic shock; if adequate BP not achieved, vasopressin or epinephrine may be added. Vasopressin also may be given in conjunction with norepinephrine to reduce dosage requirements of norepinephrine.

Also used to provide vasopressor support in other types of shock (e.g., cardiogenic, hemorrhagic), generally as a temporary measure until underlying cause can be treated.

In patients who are hypotensive from blood volume deficits, manufacturer states to use norepinephrine only as an emergency measure to maintain coronary and cerebral artery perfusion until blood volume replacement therapy can be completed.

Early revascularization is standard of care in patients with cardiogenic shock; individualize use of vasopressors in this setting.

Has been used to treat hypotension during spinal anesthesia; however, other vasopressors with a longer duration (e.g., phenylephrine) more commonly used.

Used adjunctively in the management of cardiac arrest to restore and maintain adequate BP after an effective heartbeat and ventilation have been established by other means.

High-quality CPR and defibrillation are the only proven interventions to increase survival to hospital discharge in ACLS. Other resuscitative efforts, including drug therapy, are considered secondary and should be performed without compromising the quality and timely delivery of chest compressions and defibrillation.

Principal goal of pharmacologic therapy during cardiac arrest is to facilitate the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and epinephrine is the drug of choice for this use. Vasoactive drugs such as norepinephrine may be used for hemodynamic support following resuscitation.

• Generic Name: vasopressin
• Dosage Forms: injection
• Other Brand Names: Pitressin Synthetic, Vasostrict, Pitressin

Vasopressin injection is used to control the frequent urination, increased thirst, and loss of water caused by diabetes insipidus. This is a condition that causes the body to lose too much water and become dehydrated. Vasopressin injection is also used to prevent and treat abdominal or stomach distension that occurs after surgery. It is also used in abdominal or stomach roentgenography.

Vasopressin is a hormone that is produced in the body. It acts on the kidneys to reduce the flow of urine.

Vasopressin injection is also used to increase blood pressure in adults with vasodilatory shock (eg, post-cardiotomy, sepsis) who remain to have low blood pressure after receiving fluids and medicines.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.