Levophed (Norepinephrine Bitartrate) - Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The following reactions can occur:

Body As A Whole: Ischemic injury due to potent vasoconstrictor action and tissue hypoxia.
Cardiovascular System: Bradycardia, probably as a reflex result of a rise in blood pressure, arrhythmias.
Nervous System: Anxiety, transient headache.
Respiratory System: Respiratory difficulty.
Skin and Appendages: Extravasation necrosis at injection site.

Prolonged administration of any potent vasopressor may result in plasma volume depletion which should be continuously corrected by appropriate fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy. If plasma volumes are not corrected, hypotension may recur when LEVOPHED is discontinued, or blood pressure may be maintained at the risk of severe peripheral and visceral vasoconstriction (e.g., decreased renal perfusion) with diminution in blood flow and tissue perfusion with subsequent tissue hypoxia and lactic acidosis and possible ischemic injury. Gangrene of extremities has been rarely reported.

Overdoses or conventional doses in hypersensitive persons (e.g., hyperthyroid patients) cause severe hypertension with violent headache, photophobia, stabbing retrosternal pain, pallor, intense sweating, and vomiting.

REPORTS OF SUSPECTED LEVOPHED SIDE EFFECTS / ADVERSE REACTIONS

Possible Levophed side effects / adverse reactions in 63 year old female

Reported by a physician from United States on 2011-10-27

Patient: 63 year old female weighing 127.0 kg (279.4 pounds)

Reactions: Incorrect Route of Drug Administration, Infusion Site Extravasation, Inflammation

Adverse event resulted in: life threatening event

Suspect drug(s):
Dopamine HCL IN 5% Dextrose
    Indication: Bradycardia
    Start date: 2011-09-14
    End date: 2011-09-18

Dopamine HCL IN 5% Dextrose
    Indication: Hypotension
    Start date: 2011-09-14
    End date: 2011-09-18

Levophed
    Indication: Hypotension
    Start date: 2011-09-01
    End date: 2011-09-01

Possible Levophed side effects / adverse reactions in 75 year old male

Reported by a health professional (non-physician/pharmacist) from United States on 2012-06-25

Patient: 75 year old male

Reactions: Blood Pressure Increased, Chest Pain, Incorrect Dose Administered by Device

Suspect drug(s):
Levophed

Possible Levophed side effects / adverse reactions in 90 year old male

Reported by a physician from Greece on 2012-07-27

Patient: 90 year old male weighing 70.0 kg (154.0 pounds)

Reactions: Death

Adverse event resulted in: death

Suspect drug(s):
Colimycine
    Dosage: 1000000 unk, 4x/day
    Indication: Abdominal Infection
    Start date: 2009-05-26
    End date: 2009-05-28

Daptomycin
    Dosage: 350 mg, 1x/day
    Indication: Abdominal Infection
    Start date: 2009-05-24
    End date: 2009-05-25

Innohep
    Dosage: unk
    Indication: Anticoagulant Therapy
    Start date: 2009-05-19

Levophed
    Dosage: 3 amp/24hrs
    Start date: 2009-05-19

Metronidazole
    Dosage: 500 mg, 3x/day
    Start date: 2009-05-19
    End date: 2009-05-23

Moxifloxacin
    Dosage: 400 mg, 2x/day
    Indication: Abdominal Infection
    Start date: 2009-05-16
    End date: 2009-05-18

Netilmicin
    Dosage: 300 mg, 1x/day
    Indication: Abdominal Infection
    Start date: 2009-05-29
    End date: 2009-06-08

Piperacillin and Tazobactam
    Dosage: 4.5 mg, 3x/day
    Start date: 2009-05-16
    End date: 2009-05-25

Tigecycline
    Dosage: 50 mg, 2x/day
    Start date: 2009-05-28
    End date: 2009-06-09