norepinephrine

Norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline or 去甲肾上腺素) is a potent vasopressor and catecholamine used primarily to treat life-threatening hypotension (low blood pressure), especially in cases of septic shock and other acute hypotensive states. It acts mainly by stimulating alpha-adrenergic receptors on vascular smooth muscle to cause vasoconstriction and increase peripheral vascular resistance, leading to elevated blood pressure. Norepinephrine also has some beta-1 adrenergic activity that can enhance cardiac contractility but has minimal effect on beta-2 receptors. It is administered intravenously due to poor oral bioavailability and rapid metabolism if taken orally. The drug was first developed in 1946 and approved for medical use in the United States in 1950[1][2][7]. Common side effects include headache, bradycardia (slow heart rate), anxiety, arrhythmias, tissue necrosis at the injection site if extravasation occurs[1][6][7].

Brand names

LevophedLevarterenol

Other names

去甲肾上腺素noradrenaline正肾上腺素levonorepinephrine