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Norepinephrine itself is classified as a sympathomimetic drug: its effects when given by intravenous injection of increasing heart rate and force and constricting blood vessels make it very useful for treating medical emergencies that involve critically low blood pressure. [36]
Norepinephrine has higher affinity for the α 2 receptor than epinephrine does, and therefore relates less to the latter's functions. [16] Nonselective α 2 agonists include the antihypertensive drug clonidine , [ 16 ] which can be used to lower blood pressure and to reduce hot flashes associated with menopause.
The adrenergic receptors or adrenoceptors are a class of G protein-coupled receptors that are targets of many catecholamines like norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline) produced by the body, but also many medications like beta blockers, beta-2 (β 2) antagonists and alpha-2 (α 2) agonists, which are used to treat high ...
Vascular smooth muscle contracts or relaxes to change both the volume of blood vessels and the local blood pressure, a mechanism that is responsible for the redistribution of the blood within the body to areas where it is needed (i.e. areas with temporarily enhanced oxygen consumption).
Norepinephrine, also known as noradrenaline and sold under the brand name Levophed among others, is a medication used to treat people with very low blood pressure. [2] It is the typical medication used in sepsis if low blood pressure does not improve following intravenous fluids . [ 3 ]
Blood vessels with α 1-adrenergic receptors are present in the skin, the sphincters [4] of gastrointestinal system, kidney (renal artery) [5] and brain. [6] During the fight-or-flight response vasoconstriction results in decreased blood flow to these organs. This accounts for the pale appearance of the skin of an individual when frightened.
Norepinephrine is synthesized by the body from the amino acid tyrosine, [3] and is used in the synthesis of epinephrine, which is a stimulating neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. [4] All sympathomimetic amines fall into the larger group of stimulants (see psychoactive drug chart).
Norepinephrine constricts blood vessels to increase blood pressure. When baroreceptors are stretched (due to an increased blood pressure) their firing rate increases which in turn decreases the sympathetic outflow resulting in reduced norepinephrine and thus blood pressure.