LEVOPHED

Generic Name: norepinephrine bitartrate

Brand Name: Levophed

Drug Class: Alpha/Beta Adrenergic Agonists

What is Levophed and how is it used?

Levophed (norepinephrine bitartrate) is a vasoconstrictor, similar to adrenaline, used to treat life-

threatening low blood pressure (hypotension) that can occur with certain medical conditions or surgical
procedures. Levophed is often used during or after CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). Levophed is
available in generic form.

Actions: Mechanism of Action: Norepinephrine acts predominantly on alpha-adrenergic receptors to

produce constriction of resistance and capacitance vessels, thereby increasing systemic blood pressure
and coronary artery blood flow

Levodopa
combination is used to treat Parkinson's disease, sometimes called shaking palsy or paralysis agitans.
Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

Carbidopa and levodopa combination is also used to treat parkinsonism caused by encephalitis, or
parkinsonism caused by carbon monoxide or manganese poisoning.

Dopamine is a naturally occurring substance in the brain that helps provide control of movement and
activities such as walking and talking. In patients with Parkinson's disease, there is not enough dopamine
in some parts of the brain. Levodopa enters the brain and helps replace the missing dopamine, which
allows people to function better. By increasing the amount of dopamine in the brain, levodopa helps
control symptoms and helps you to perform daily activities such as dressing, walking, and handling
utensils.

Adenosine
 is a medication used in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and to treat supraventricular
tachycardia.

Mechanism of action

Agonism of adenosine receptors A1 and A2 reduces conduction time in the atrioventricular node of the
heart. Conduction time is decreased by inducing potassium efflux and inhibiting calcium influx through
channels in nerve cells, leading to hyperpolarization and and increased threshold for calcium dependent
action potentials. Decreased conduction time leads to an antiarrhythmic effect. Inhibition of calcium
influx, reduces the activity of adenylate cyclase, relaxing vascular smooth muscle.6 Relaxed vascular
smooth muscle leads to increased blood flow through normal coronary arteries but not stenotic arteries,
allowing thallium-201 to be more readily up taken in normal coronary arteries.

Amiodarone is a medication that prevents and treats arrhythmia. This is a condition that causes a fast or
irregular heartbeat. It slows down overactive electric signals in your heart. This stabilizes your heart's
rhythm. Brand names of this medication are Cordarone® and Pacerone