ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/norepinephrine
US brand names:Levophed
Also known as: Noradrenaline
Norepinephrine is dosed at 0.5–1 µg/kg/min IV CRI Continuous infusion in rabbits, per Uccello O, Sanchez A, Valverde A, et al. Cardiovascular effects of increasing doses of norepinephrine on isoflurane-induced hypotension in healthy rabbits. Proc Conf Annu Assoc Exot Mam Vet; 2019:531. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.872 doi:10.1016/j.vaa.2020.07.001 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.8 (Cardiovascular Agents Used in Rabbits). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Potent alpha-1 and beta-1 adrenergic agonist with minimal beta-2 activity. Causes vasoconstriction (alpha-1) and increased cardiac contractility (beta-1).
First-line vasopressor for septic shock. IV CRI only. Tissue necrosis with extravasation — use central line if possible. Arrhythmogenic. Monitor blood pressure and perfusion parameters.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
Norepinephrine CRI dose rules from the ExoticRx formulary. Verify against current literature before clinical use; CRI rates differ from bolus dosing and route, dilution, and monitoring matter. Sign in for the complete per-species CRI protocol set.
| Species | Route | Rate | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 0.05–2 mcg/kg/minCRI | Refractory hypotension, septic shock | Strong | Licht N, Rozanski EA, Rush JE. Vasopressor use in 41 critically ill cats (2007-2016). Canadian Veterinary Journal-Revue Veterinaire Canadienne. 2018;59:1175-1180. PMID: 30410173; Skelding AM, Valverde A. Sympathomimetics in veterinary species under anesthesia. Vet J. 2020;258:9. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105455 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.971 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.943, Norepinephrine monograph spanning p.943-944; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 | ORIGINAL SOURCE THE BOOK CITES (2026-08-20): the dose row carries superscript 14 — "0.05 mg/kg IV once14 * De.1)pre..-,: Opioids may increase the risk for" — which resolves in the monograph's own reference list to: Valverde A, Giguere S, Sanchez LC, Shih A, Ryan C. Effects of dobutamine, norepinephrine, and vasopressin on cardiovascular function in anesthetized neonatal foals with induced hypotension. Am J Vet Res. 2006;67(10):1730-1737. Distributed by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. This records what the handbook attributes the figure to. It is NOT a statement that the reference was read or that it validates the dose. |
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 3 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 0.05–2 mcg/kg/min | CRI | Strong | Licht N, Rozanski EA, Rush JE. Vasopressor use in 41 critically ill cats (2007-2016). Canadian Veterinary Journal-Revue Veterinaire Canadienne. 2018;59:1175-1180. PMID: 30410173; Skelding AM, Valverde A. Sympathomimetics in veterinary species under anesthesia. Vet J. 2020;258:9. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105455 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.971 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.943, Norepinephrine monograph spanning p.943-944; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 | ORIGINAL SOURCE THE BOOK CITES (2026-08-20): the dose row carries superscript 14 — "0.05 mg/kg IV once14 * De.1)pre..-,: Opioids may increase the risk for" — which resolves in the monograph's own reference list to: Valverde A, Giguere S, Sanchez LC, Shih A, Ryan C. Effects of dobutamine, norepinephrine, and vasopressin on cardiovascular function in anesthetized neonatal foals with induced hypotension. Am J Vet Res. 2006;67(10):1730-1737. Distributed by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. This records what the handbook attributes the figure to. It is NOT a statement that the reference was read or that it validates the dose. |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 0.1–1 mcg/kg/minCRI | Persistent, profound hypotension (incl. septic shock) AFTER adequate fluid volume replacement (extra-label) | Strong | Craig CA, Haskins SC, Hildebrand SV. The cardiopulmonary effects of dobutamine and norepinephrine in isoflurane-anesthetized foals. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2007;34(6):377-387. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2995.2006.00304.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.971 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.943, Norepinephrine monograph spanning p.943-944; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
Refractory hypotension, septic shock
Persistent, profound hypotension (incl. septic shock) AFTER adequate fluid volume replacement (extra-label)
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 0.1–1 mcg/kg/min | CRI | Strong | Craig CA, Haskins SC, Hildebrand SV. The cardiopulmonary effects of dobutamine and norepinephrine in isoflurane-anesthetized foals. Vet Anaesth Analg. 2007;34(6):377-387. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2995.2006.00304.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.971 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.943, Norepinephrine monograph spanning p.943-944; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |