CHF and arrhythmias:
Indications for LEVOPHED:
Adjunctive treatment in cardiac arrest and profound hypotension.
Adult:
Correct blood volume depletion before administration. Give by IV infusion after dilution (contains 4mcg of base/mL) into a large vein. Initially 2mL to 3mL (or 8–12mcg of base) per minute; adjust flow rate until adequate low normal BP (usually 80–100 mmHg systolic) and maintain tissue perfusion. Usual maintenance: 0.5mL to 1mL (or 2–4mcg of base) per minute. Withdraw gradually. Titrate dose based on response: see literature.
Children:
Not recommended.
Contraindications:
Hypotension due to blood volume deficits except as an emergency measure. Mesenteric or peripheral vascular thrombosis. Profound hypoxia or hypercabia. Concomitant cyclopropane and halothane anesthesia.
Warnings/Precautions:
Hypertension. Monitor BP every 2 minutes initially until desirable level is obtained, then every 5 minutes if administration is continued. Avoid extravasation. Asthma. Sulfite sensitivity. Elderly (avoid infusion into leg veins). Pregnancy (Cat. C). Nursing mothers.
Pharmacologic Class:
Sympathomimetic.
Interactions:
See Contraindications. Risk of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation with cyclopropane, halothane anesthesia. Caution with MAOIs, triptyline or imipramine antidepressants; may cause prolonged hypertension.
Adverse Reactions:
Ischemic injury, reflex bradycardia, arrhythmias, anxiety, transient headache, respiratory difficulties, extravasation necrosis, volume depletion (esp. long-term use).
How Supplied:
Ampuls (4mL)—10
Hypotension:
Indications for LEVOPHED:
To restore blood pressure control in certain acute hypotensive states (eg, pheochromocytomectomy, sympathectomy, poliomyelitis, spinal anesthesia, MI, septicemia, blood transfusion, and drug reactions).
Adult:
Correct blood volume depletion before administration. Give by IV infusion after dilution (contains 4mcg of base/mL) into a large vein. Initially 2mL to 3mL (or 8–12mcg of base) per minute; adjust flow rate until adequate low normal BP (usually 80–100 mmHg systolic) and maintain tissue perfusion. Usual maintenance: 0.5mL to 1mL (or 2–4mcg of base) per minute. Withdraw gradually. Titrate dose based on response: see literature.
Children:
Not recommended.
Contraindications:
Hypotension due to blood volume deficits except as an emergency measure. Mesenteric or peripheral vascular thrombosis. Profound hypoxia or hypercabia. Concomitant cyclopropane and halothane anesthesia.
Warnings/Precautions:
Hypertension. Monitor BP every 2 minutes initially until desirable level is obtained, then every 5 minutes if administration is continued. Avoid extravasation. Asthma. Sulfite sensitivity. Elderly (avoid infusion into leg veins). Pregnancy (Cat. C). Nursing mothers.
Pharmacologic Class:
Sympathomimetic.
Interactions:
See Contraindications. Risk of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation with cyclopropane, halothane anesthesia. Caution with MAOIs, triptyline or imipramine antidepressants; may cause prolonged hypertension.
Adverse Reactions:
Ischemic injury, reflex bradycardia, arrhythmias, anxiety, transient headache, respiratory difficulties, extravasation necrosis, volume depletion (esp. long-term use).
How Supplied:
Ampuls (4mL)—10
