Norepinephrine

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection is indicated to raise blood pressure in adult patients with severe, acute hypotension. Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection is a catecholamine indicated for restoration of blood pressure in adult patients with acute hypotensive states. ( 1 )

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION No further dilution prior to infusion is required ( 2.1 ) Initial intravenous infusion rate of 8 to 12 mcg per minute, adjust the rate of flow to establish and maintain a low to normal blood pressure (usually 80 to 100 mm Hg) sufficient to maintain the circulation of vital organs ( 2.2 ) The average maintenance dose ranges from 2 to 4 mcg per minute. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Instructions Correct Hypovolemia Address hypovolemia before initiation of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection therapy. If the patient does not respond to therapy, suspect occult hypovolemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Administration Infuse Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection into a large vein. Avoid infusions into the veins of the leg in the elderly or in patients with occlusive vascular disease of the legs [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Avoid using a catheter-tie-in technique. Inspect parenteral drug products for particulate matter and discoloration prior to use, whenever solution and container permit. Do not open the aluminum foil pouch until time of use. The premixed, ready-to-use infusion bag has a single port for insertion of the infusion set only. Do not use this port to remove content from the bag or add another medication. Once the infusion bag has been connected to the infusion set, it is stable for 24 hours for intermittent or continuous use, as long as the bag stays connected to the infusion set. Discontinuation When discontinuing the infusion, reduce the flow rate gradually. Avoid abrupt withdrawal. Single dose only. Discard unused portion. 2.2 Dosage After an initial dose of 8 to 12 mcg per minute via intravenous infusion, assess patient response and adjust dosage to maintain desired hemodynamic effect. Monitor blood pressure every two minutes or continuously until the desired hemodynamic effect is achieved, and then monitor blood pressure every five minutes for the duration of the infusion. Recommended Average Maintenance Dosage: Typical maintenance intravenous dosage is 2 to 4 mcg per minute. 2.3 Drug Incompatibilities Avoid contact with iron salts and alkalizing and oxidizing agents. Whole blood or plasma, if indicated to increase blood volume, should be administered separately.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Injection: Norepinephrine is a clear, colorless sterile solution in the premixed, ready-to-use single dose intravenous infusion bags available as: 4 mg/250 mL (16 mcg/mL) of norepinephrine in 0.9% Sodium Chloride 8 mg/250 mL (32 mcg/mL) of norepinephrine in 0.9% Sodium Chloride 16 mg/250 mL (64 mcg/mL) of norepinephrine in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection: in a single dose infusion bags with - 4 mg/250 mL (16 mcg/mL) of norepinephrine in 0.9% Sodium Chloride - 8 mg/250 mL (32 mcg/mL) of norepinephrine in 0.9% Sodium Chloride - 16 mg/250 mL (64 mcg/mL) of norepinephrine in 0.9% Sodium Chloride

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None. ( 4 )

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are described in greater detail in other sections: Tissue Ischemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Cardiac Arrhythmias [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] The most common adverse reactions are hypertension and bradycardia. The following adverse reactions can occur: Nervous system disorders: Anxiety, headache Respiratory disorders: Respiratory difficulty, pulmonary edema Most common adverse reactions are ischemic injury, bradycardia, anxiety, transient headache, respiratory difficulty, and extravasation necrosis at injection site. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Long Grove Pharmaceuticals LLC at 1-855-642-2594 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or antidepressants of the triptyline or imipramine types may result in hypertension. ( 7.1 ) Cyclopropane and halothane anesthetics increase cardiac autonomic irritability. ( 7.4 ) 7.1 MAO-Inhibiting Drugs Co-administration of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or other drugs with MAO-inhibiting properties (e.g., linezolid) can cause severe, prolonged hypertension. If administration of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection cannot be avoided in patients who recently have received any of these drugs and in whom, after discontinuation, MAO activity has not yet sufficiently recovered, monitor for hypertension. 7.2 Tricyclic Antidepressants Co-administration of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection with tricyclic antidepressants (including amitriptyline, nortriptyline, protriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, imipramine) can cause severe, prolonged hypertension. If administration of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection cannot be avoided in these patients, monitor for hypertension. 7.3 Antidiabetics Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection can decrease insulin sensitivity and raise blood glucose. Monitor glucose and consider dosage adjustment of antidiabetic drugs. 7.4 Halogenated Anesthetics Concomitant use of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection with halogenated anesthetics (e.g., cyclopropane, desflurane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane) may lead to ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Monitor cardiac rhythm in patients receiving concomitant halogenated anesthetics.

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Elderly patients may be at greater risk of developing adverse reactions. ( 8.5 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Limited published data consisting of a small number of case reports and multiple small trials involving the use of norepinephrine in pregnant women at the time of delivery have not identified an increased risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus from hypotension associated with septic shock, myocardial infarction and stroke which are medical emergencies in pregnancy and can be fatal if left untreated (see Clinical Considerations ) . In animal reproduction studies, using high doses of intravenous norepinephrine resulted in lowered maternal placental blood flow. Clinical relevance to changes in the human fetus is unknown since the average maintenance dose is ten times lower (see Data ) . Increased fetal reabsorptions were observed in pregnant hamsters after receiving daily injections at approximately 2 times the maximum recommended dose on a mg/m 2 basis for four days during organogenesis (see Data ) . The estimated background risk for major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Hypotension associated with septic shock, myocardial infarction, and stroke are medical emergencies in pregnancy which can be fatal if left untreated. Delaying treatment in pregnant women with hypotension associated with septic shock, myocardial infarction and stroke may increase the risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Life-sustaining therapy for the pregnant woman should not be withheld due to potential concerns regarding the effects of norepinephrine on the fetus. Data Animal Data A study in pregnant sheep receiving high doses of intravenous norepinephrine (40 mcg/min, at approximately 10 times the average maintenance dose of 2-4 mcg/min in human, on a mg/kg basis) exhibited a significant decrease in maternal placental blood flow. Decreases in fetal oxygenation, urine and lung liquid flow were also observed. Norepinephrine administration to pregnant rats on Gestation Day 16 or 17 resulted in cataract production in rat fetuses. In hamsters, an increased number of resorptions (29.1% in study group vs. 3.4% in control group), fetal microscopic liver abnormalities and delayed skeletal ossification were observed at approximately 2 times the maximum recommended intramuscular or subcutaneous dose (on a mg/m 2 basis at a maternal subcutaneous dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day from Gestation Day 7-10). 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of norepinephrine in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Clinically relevant exposure to the infant is not expected based on the short half-life and poor oral bioavailability of norepinephrine. 8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. 8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. Avoid administration of Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection into the veins in the leg i …

12.1 Mechanism of Action Norepinephrine is a peripheral vasoconstrictor (alpha-adrenergic action) and an inotropic stimulator of the heart and dilator of coronary arteries (beta-adrenergic action).

11 DESCRIPTION Norepinephrine (sometimes referred to as l-arterenol/Levarterenol or l-norepinephrine) is a catecholamine which differs from epinephrine by the absence of a methyl group on the nitrogen atom. Chemically, Norepinephrine Bitartrate is (-)-α-(aminomethyl)-3,4-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol tartrate (1:1) (salt) monohydrate (molecular weight 337.3 g/mol) and has the following structural formula: Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection is a clear, colorless, single dose sterile solution supplied as a ready-to-use intravenous infusion bag for intravenous use and does not require further dilution. Each mL contains the equivalent of 16 or 32 or 64 micrograms of norepinephrine base supplied as 31.90 or 63.80 or 127.6 micrograms per mL of norepinephrine bitartrate monohydrate. In addition, each mL of solution contains 0.01 mg edetate disodium dihydrate as a metal chelator and 9.0 mg sodium chloride for isotonicity. It has a pH of 3.5 to 4.5. Figure

10 OVERDOSAGE Overdosage with Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection may result in headache, severe hypertension, reflex bradycardia, marked increase in peripheral resistance, and decreased cardiac output. In case of accidental overdosage, discontinue Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection until the condition of the patient stabilizes.

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Norepinephrine in Sodium Chloride Injection (norepinephrine bitartrate) is supplied as a clear, colorless sterile solution in a 250 mL non-PVC infusion bag with single function connector system consisting of a port and cap, packaged individually in an aluminum foil pouch with an oxygen scavenger. Supplied as: Unit of Sale Concentration Package Size NDC 81298-9659-3 4 mg/250 mL (16 mcg/mL) 10 bags NDC 81298-9655-3 8 mg/250 mL (32 mcg/mL) 10 bags NDC 81298-9658-3 16 mg/250 mL (64 mcg/mL) 10 bags Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.] Protect from light. Once the overwrap is removed, the bag can be stored at room temperature for up to 45 days.