Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine) 1 mg/ml Concentrate for Solution for Infusion

Indicated for use as an emergency measure in the restoration of blood pressure in cases of acute hypotension.

Posology

Adults

Initial rate of infusion:

When diluted as recommended in section 6.6 (the concentration of the prepared infusion is 40 mg/litre noradrenaline base (80 mg/litre noradrenaline tartrate)) the initial rate of infusion, at a body weight of 70 kg, should be between 10 ml/hour and 20 ml/hour (0.16 to 0.33 ml/min). This is equivalent to 0.4 mg/hour to 0.8 mg/hour noradrenaline base (0.8 mg/hour to 1.6 mg/hour noradrenaline tartrate). Some clinicians may wish to start at a lower initial infusion rate of 5 ml/hour (0.08 ml/min), equivalent to 0.2 mg/hour noradrenaline base (0.4 mg/hour noradrenaline tartrate).

Titration of dose:

Once an infusion of noradrenaline has been established the dose should be titrated in steps of 0.05 -0.1 µ g/kg/min of noradrenaline base according to the pressor effect observed. There is great individual variation in the dose required to attain and maintain normotension. The aim should be to establish a low normal systolic blood pressure (100 - 120 mm Hg) or to achieve an adequate mean arterial blood pressure (greater than 65 - 80 mm Hg – depending on the patient's condition).

Some clinicians may prefer to dilute to other concentrations. If dilutions other than 40 mg/l are used, check the infusion rate calculation carefully before starting treatment.

Renal or hepatic impairment:

There is no experience in treatment of renally or hepatically impaired patients.

Elderly:

As for adults but see section 4.4.

Paediatric population

Not recommended.

Duration of Treatment and Monitoring:

Noradrenaline should be continued for as long as vasoactive drug support is indicated. The patient should be monitored carefully for the duration of therapy. Blood pressure should be carefully monitored for the duration of therapy.

Withdrawal of Therapy:

The noradrenaline infusion should be gradually decreased since abrupt withdrawal can result in acute hypotension.

Route of Administration:

For intravenous use.

Method of administration:

Administer as a diluted solution via a central venous catheter.

The infusion should be at a controlled rate using either a syringe pump or an infusion pump or a drip counter.

For instructions on dilution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 6.6.

Hypersensitivity to noradrenaline tartrate or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Noradrenaline should only be administered by healthcare professionals who are familiar with its use.

Elderly patients may be especially sensitive to the effects of noradrenaline.

Particular caution should be observed in patients with coronary, mesenteric or peripheral vascular thrombosis because noradrenaline may increase the ischemia and extend the area of infarction. Similar caution should be observed in patients with hypotension following myocardial infarction, in patients with Prinzmetal's variant angina and in patients with diabetes, hypertension or hyperthyroidism.

Noradrenaline should be used with caution in patients who exhibit profound hypoxia or hypercarbia.

Noradrenaline should be used only in conjunction with appropriate blood volume replacement. When infusing noradrenaline, the blood pressure and rate of flow should be checked frequently to avoid hypertension.

Extravasation of the solution may cause local tissue necrosis. The infusion site should be checked frequently. If extravasation occurs, the infusion should be stopped and the area should be infiltrated with phentolamine without delay.

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 the infusion 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 ischaemic injury.

Excipient with known effects

This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per ampoule. Patients on low sodium diets can be informed that this medicinal product is essentially 'sodium-free'.

This medicinal product may be diluted with sodium-containing solutions (see sections 4.2 and 6.6) and this should be considered in relation to the total sodium from all sources that will be administered to the patient.

The use of noradrenaline with volatile halogenated anaesthetic agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, linezolid, tricyclic antidepressants, adrenergic-serotoninergic drugs or any other cardiac sensitising agents is not recommended because severe, prolonged hypertension and possible arrhythmias may result.

The effects of noradrenaline may be enhanced by guanethidine.

Pregnancy

Noradrenaline may impair placental perfusion and induce fetal bradycardia. It may also exert a contractile effect on the pregnant uterus and lead to fetal asphyxia in late pregnancy. These possible risks to the fetus should therefore be weighed against the potential benefit to the mother.

Breastfeeding

No information is available on the use of noradrenaline in lactation.

None stated.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the UK Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Overdosage may result in severe hypertension, reflex bradycardia, marked increase in peripheral resistance and decreased cardiac output. These may be accompanied by violent headache, pulmonary oedema, photophobia, retrosternal pain, pallor, intense sweating and vomiting. In the event of overdosage, treatment should be withdrawn and appropriate corrective treatment initiated.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Adrenergic and dopaminergic agents, ATC code: C01CA03

The vascular effects in the doses normally used clinically result from the simultaneous stimulation of alpha and beta adrenergic receptors in the heart and vascular system. Except in the heart, its action is predominantly on the alpha receptors. This results in an increase in the force (and in the absence of vagal inhibition, in the rate) of myocardial contraction. Peripheral resistance increases and diastolic and systolic pressures are raised.

The increase in blood pressure may cause a reflex decrease in heart rate. Vasoconstriction may result in decreased blood flow in kidneys, liver, skin and smooth muscles. Local vasoconstriction may cause haemostasis and/or necrosis.

The effect on blood pressure disappears 1-2 minutes after stopping the infusion.

Up to 16% of an intravenous dose is excreted unchanged in the urine with methylated and deaminated metabolites in free and conjugated forms.

Most of the adverse effects attributable to sympathomimetics result from excessive stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system via the different adrenergic receptors.

Noradrenaline may impair placental perfusion and induce fetal bradycardia. It may also exert a contractile effect on the uterus and lead to fetal asphyxia in late pregnancy.

Sodium chloride

Sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment)

Hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment)

Water for Injections

Noradrenaline must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in section 6.6.

Infusion solutions containing noradrenaline tartrate have been reported to be incompatible with the following substances: alkalis and oxidising agents, barbiturates, chlorpheniramine, chlorothiazide, nitrofurantoin, novobiocin, phenytoin, sodium bicarbonate, sodium iodide, streptomycin.

For compatibility with infusion bags see section 6.6.

18 months.

After dilution:

Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 24 hours at 25° C when diluted to 4 mg/litre and 40 mg/litre noradrenaline base in sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) solution or glucose 5% solution. However, from a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 to 8° C.

Do not store above 25° C.

For storage conditions after dilution of the medicinal product, see section 6.3.

Ampoules containing 2 ml and 4 ml of concentrate.

Pack size of 5 ampoules.

Dilution instructions:

Dilute before use with glucose 5% solution or sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) with glucose 5% solution.

Either add 2 ml concentrate to 48 ml glucose 5% solution (or sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) with glucose 5% solution) for administration by syringe pump, or add 20 ml of concentrate to 480 ml glucose 5% solution (or sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) with glucose 5% solution) for administration by drip counter. In both cases the final concentration of the infusion solution is 40 mg/litre noradrenaline base (which is equivalent to 80 mg/litre noradrenaline tartrate). Dilutions other than 40 mg/litre noradrenaline base may also be used (see section 4.2). If dilutions other than 40 mg/litre noradrenaline base are used, check the infusion rate calculation carefully before starting treatment.

The product is compatible with PVC infusion bags.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.