Norepinephrine Bitartrate and Ribasphere

• 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: ribavirin
• Dosage Forms: capsule
• Other Brand Names: Rebetol, RibaPak, Ribasphere, RibaTab, Copegus, Virazole, RibaPak 600, Moderiba, Moderiba 800 Dose Pack, Moderiba 1200 Dose Pack, Moderiba 1000 Dose Pack, Moderiba 600 Dose Pack

Ribasphere (ribavirin) is an antiviral medication.

Ribasphere capsules are used with either interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) or peginterferon alfa-2b (Pegasys, PegIntron, Sylatron) to treat chronic hepatitis C infection in people 3 years and older with liver disease.

It is not known if Ribasphere use for longer than 1 year is safe and will work.

It is not known if Ribasphere use in children younger than 3 years old is safe or if it will work.