Norepinephrine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 30, 2025.

Applies to norepinephrine: intravenous solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely while receiving this medicine to make sure it is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause tissue ischemia (low blood supply to the tissue), which may lead to gangrene (skin or tissue damage) of the arm or leg. Check with your doctor right away if you have itching of the skin, numbness and tingling of the face, fingers, or toes, pain in the arms legs, or lower back, especially in the calves or heels upon exertion, pale, bluish-colored, or cold hands or feet, or weak or absent pulses in the legs.

This medicine may cause heart rhythm problems. Tell your doctor right away if you get dizzy or lightheaded, have fast or irregular heart beats, or feel like fainting.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of norepinephrine

Along with its needed effects, norepinephrine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking norepinephrine:

Other side effects of norepinephrine

Some side effects of norepinephrine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to norepinephrine: injectable solution, intravenous solution.

General adverse events

If plasma volumes are not corrected, hypotension may recur when this drug 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. Overdoses or conventional doses in hypersensitive patients (e.g., hyperthyroid patients) can cause severe hypertension with violent headache, photophobia, stabbing retrosternal pain, pallor, intense sweating, and vomiting.^[Ref]

Local

• Frequency not reported: Extravasation necrosis^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Ischemic injury, bradycardia, arrhythmia, blood pressure increased, hypertension, pallor, stabbing retrosternal pain^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Frequency not reported: Headache

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Sweating^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Frequency not reported: Vomiting^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Photophobia^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Plasma volume depletion^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Anxiety^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Respiratory difficulty, dyspnea

Other

• Frequency not reported: Gangrene^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• Strattera vs Adderall: What is the difference?
• Norepinephrine vs epinephrine: what's the difference?
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Further information

Norepinephrine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer