FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection is indicated to raise blood pressure in adult patients with severe, acute hypotension.
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Instructions
Correct Hypovolemia
Address hypovolemia before initiation of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection therapy. If the patient does not respond to therapy, suspect occult hypovolemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Administration
Infuse Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection into a large vein. Avoid infusions into the veins of the leg in the elderly or in patients with occlusive vascular disease of the legs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Avoid using a catheter-tie-in technique.
Inspect parenteral drug products for particulate matter and discoloration prior to use, whenever solution and container permit.
Do not open the aluminum foil pouch until time of use. The premixed, ready-to-use infusion bag has a single port for insertion of the infusion set only. Do not use this port to remove content from the bag or add another medication. Once the infusion bag has been connected to the infusion set, it is stable for 24 hours for intermittent or continuous use, as long as the bag stays connected to the infusion set.
2.2 Dosage
After an initial dose of 8 to 12 mcg per minute via intravenous infusion, assess patient response and adjust dosage to maintain desired hemodynamic effect. Monitor blood pressure every two minutes or continuously until the desired hemodynamic effect is achieved, and then monitor blood pressure every five minutes for the duration of the infusion.
Recommended Average Maintenance Dosage:
Typical maintenance intravenous dosage is 2 to 4 mcg per minute.
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
Injection: Three concentrations of norepinephrine, a clear, colorless sterile solution in 250 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride, available in the premixed, ready-to-use single dose intravenous infusion bags:
- 4 mg equivalent of norepinephrine (16 mcg/mL)
- 8 mg equivalent of norepinephrine (32 mcg/mL)
- 16 mg equivalent of norepinephrine (64 mcg/mL)
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
5.1 Tissue Ischemia
Administration of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection to patients who are hypotensive from hypovolemia can result in severe peripheral and visceral vasoconstriction, decreased renal perfusion and reduced urine output, tissue hypoxia, lactic acidosis, and reduced systemic blood flow despite “normal” blood pressure. Address hypovolemia prior to initiating Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)]. Avoid Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection in patients with mesenteric or peripheral vascular thrombosis, as this may increase ischemia and extend the area of infarction.
Gangrene of the extremities has occurred in patients with occlusive or thrombotic vascular disease or who received prolonged or high dose infusions. Monitor for changes to the skin of the extremities in susceptible patients.
Extravasation of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection may cause necrosis and sloughing of surrounding tissue. To reduce the risk of extravasation, infuse into a large vein, check the infusion site frequently for free flow, and monitor for signs of extravasation [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].
Emergency Treatment of Extravasation
To prevent sloughing and necrosis in areas in which extravasation has occurred, infiltrate the ischemic area as soon as possible, using a syringe with a fine hypodermic needle with 5 to 10 mg of phentolamine mesylate in 10 mL to 15 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection in adults.
Sympathetic blockade with phentolamine causes immediate and conspicuous local hyperemic changes if the area is infiltrated within 12 hours.
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS
The following adverse reactions are described in greater detail in other sections:
- Tissue Ischemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
- Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
- Cardiac Arrhythmias [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
The most common adverse reactions are hypertension and bradycardia.
The following adverse reactions can occur:
Nervous system disorders: Anxiety, headache
Respiratory disorders: Respiratory difficulty, pulmonary edema
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS
7.1 MAO-Inhibiting Drugs
Co-administration of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or other drugs with MAO-inhibiting properties (e.g., linezolid) can cause severe, prolonged hypertension.
If administration of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection cannot be avoided in patients who recently have received any of these drugs and in whom, after discontinuation, MAO activity has not yet sufficiently recovered, monitor for hypertension.
7.2 Tricyclic Antidepressants
Co-administration of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection with tricyclic antidepressants (including amitriptyline, nortriptyline, protriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, imipramine) can cause severe, prolonged hypertension. If administration of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection cannot be avoided in these patients, monitor for hypertension.
7.3 Antidiabetics
Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection can decrease insulin sensitivity and raise blood glucose. Monitor glucose and consider dosage adjustment of antidiabetic drugs.
7.4 Halogenated Anesthetics
Concomitant use of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection with halogenated anesthetics (e.g., cyclopropane, desflurane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane) may lead to ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Monitor cardiac rhythm in patients receiving concomitant halogenated anesthetics.
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
8.1 Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Limited published data consisting of a small number of case reports and multiple small trials involving the use of norepinephrine in pregnant women at the time of delivery have not identified an increased risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus from hypotension associated with septic shock, myocardial infarction and stroke which are medical emergencies in pregnancy and can be fatal if left untreated (see Clinical Considerations). In animal reproduction studies, using high doses of intravenous norepinephrine resulted in lowered maternal placental blood flow. Clinical relevance to changes in the human fetus is unknown since the average maintenance dose is ten times lower (see Data). Increased fetal reabsorptions were observed in pregnant hamsters after receiving daily injections at approximately 2 times the maximum recommended dose on a mg/m2 basis for four days during organogenesis (see Data).
The estimated background risk for major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk
Hypotension associated with septic shock, myocardial infarction, and stroke are medical emergencies in pregnancy which can be fatal if left untreated. Delaying treatment in pregnant women with hypotension associated with septic shock, myocardial infarction and stroke may increase the risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Life-sustaining therapy for the pregnant woman should not be withheld due to potential concerns regarding the effects of norepinephrine on the fetus.
Data
Animal Data
A study in pregnant sheep receiving high doses of intravenous norepinephrine (40 mcg/min, at approximately 10 times the average maintenance dose of 2-4 mcg/min in human, on a mg/kg basis) exhibited a significant decrease in maternal placental blood flow. Decreases in fetal oxygenation, urine and lung liquid flow were also observed.
Norepinephrine administration to pregnant rats on Gestation Day 16 or 17 resulted in cataract production in rat fetuses.
In hamsters, an increased number of resorptions (29.1% in study group vs. 3.4% in control group), fetal microscopic liver abnormalities and delayed skeletal ossification were observed at approximately 2 times the maximum recommended intramuscular or subcutaneous dose (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal subcutaneous dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day from Gestation Day 7-10).
8.2 Lactation
Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of norepinephrine in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Clinically relevant exposure to the infant is not expected based on the short half-life and poor oral bioavailability of norepinephrine.
8.5 Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
Avoid administration of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection into the veins in the leg in elderly patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
10 OVERDOSAGE
Overdosage with Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection may result in headache, severe hypertension, reflex bradycardia, marked increase in peripheral resistance, and decreased cardiac output.
In case of accidental overdosage, discontinue Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection until the condition of the patient stabilizes.
11 DESCRIPTION
Norepinephrine (sometimes referred to as l-arterenol/Levarterenol or l-norepinephrine) is a catecholamine which differs from epinephrine by the absence of a methyl group on the nitrogen atom.
Chemically, Norepinephrine Bitartrate is (-)-α-(aminomethyl)-3,4-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol tartrate (1:1) (salt) monohydrate (molecular weight 337.3 g/mol) and has the following structural formula:
Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection is a clear, colorless, single dose sterile solution supplied as a ready-to-use intravenous infusion bag for intravenous use and does not require further dilution. Each mL contains the equivalent of 16 or 32 or 64 micrograms of norepinephrine base supplied as 31.90 or 63.80 or 127.6 micrograms per mL of norepinephrine bitartrate monohydrate. In addition, each mL of solution contains 0.01 mg edetate disodium dihydrate as a metal chelator and 9.0 mg sodium chloride for isotonicity. It has a pH of 3.5 to 4.5.
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.1 Mechanism of Action
Norepinephrine is a peripheral vasoconstrictor (alpha-adrenergic action) and an inotropic stimulator of the heart and dilator of coronary arteries (beta-adrenergic action).
12.2 Pharmacodynamics
The primary pharmacodynamic effects of norepinephrine are cardiac stimulation and vasoconstriction. Cardiac output is generally unaffected, although it can be decreased, and total peripheral resistance is also elevated. The elevation in resistance and pressure result in reflex vagal activity, which slows the heart rate and increases stroke volume. The elevation in vascular tone or resistance reduces blood flow to the major abdominal organs as well as to skeletal muscle. Coronary blood flow is substantially increased secondary to the indirect effects of alpha stimulation. After intravenous administration, a pressor response occurs rapidly and reaches steady state within 5 minutes. The pharmacologic actions of norepinephrine are terminated primarily by uptake and metabolism in sympathetic nerve endings. The pressor action stops within 1-2 minutes after the infusion is discontinued.
12.3 Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Following intravenous administration, the steady state plasma concentration is achieved in 5 min.
Distribution
Plasma protein binding of norepinephrine is approximately 25%. It is mainly bound to plasma albumin and to a smaller extent to prealbumin and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein. The volume of distribution is 8.8 L. Norepinephrine localizes mainly in sympathetic nervous tissue. It crosses the placenta but not the blood-brain barrier.
Elimination
The mean half-life of norepinephrine is approximately 2.4 min. The average metabolic clearance is 3.1 L/min.
Metabolism
Norepinephrine is metabolized in the liver and other tissues by a combination of reactions involving the enzymes catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and MAO. The major metabolites are normetanephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy mandelic acid (vanillylmandelic acid, VMA), both of which are inactive. Other inactive metabolites include 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol.
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING
Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection (norepinephrine bitartrate) is supplied as a clear, colorless sterile solution in a 250 mL non-PVC infusion bag with single function connector system consisting of a port and cap, packaged individually in an aluminum foil pouch with an oxygen scavenger. Supplied as:
| Unit of Sale | Concentration | Package Size |
|---|---|---|
| NDC 81298-9659-3 | 4 mg/250 mL (16 mcg/mL) | 10 bags |
| NDC 81298-9655-3 | 8 mg/250 mL (32 mcg/mL) | 10 bags |
| NDC 81298-9658-3 | 16 mg/250 mL (64 mcg/mL) | 10 bags |
Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.] Protect from light. Once the overwrap is removed, the bag can be stored at room temperature for up to 7 days.
17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION
Risk of Tissue Damage
Advise the patient, family, or caregiver to report signs of extravasation urgently [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Manufactured for:
Long Grove Pharmaceuticals, LLC
Rosemont, IL 60018
Rev. 06/2023
076273001 R00
Principal Display Panel – 4 mg Pouch Label
NDC: 81298-9659-1
Rx only
1 x 250 mL
Norepinephrine
in 0.9% Sodium Chloride injection
4 mg per 250 mL
(16 mcg/mL)
Keep in sealed overwrap until time of use.
LONG GROVE
PHARMACEUTICALS™
