What is Levophed?
Levophed has a similar effect to adrenaline. It can be used to treat hypotension, which is a life-threatening low blood pressure that may occur as a result of certain medical conditions. This medication is used frequently during CPR.Levophed can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Levophed
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
If you:
- Pain, burning, irritation, or discoloration of the skin where the injection is given;
- You may experience sudden weakness, numbness, or coldness anywhere on your body.
- Slow or uneven heartbeat
- Blue lips, fingernails, or mottled skin.
- Little or no urination
- Trouble breathing
- Problems with speech, balance, vision, or hearing;
- Severe headache with blurred vision or a pounding sensation in the neck or ears.
There may be other side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Inform your carer if you experience any serious side effects, such as cold sensations anywhere on your body, blue fingernails or lips, difficulty breathing, no or little urination or irritation, skin changes or changes in the area where the medicine has been injected, a slow heartbeat or sudden numbness, weakness, or headache.
Before you take this drug
Tell your carers, if possible, before receiving Levophed if you:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes;
- Coronary arterial disease
- Circulation problems
- Varicose veins;
- Overactive thyroid gland;
- Asthma, or a sulfite allergen.
Tell your doctor whether you're pregnant or breastfeeding.You may not be able to tell your carers if you're pregnant or nursing in an emergency. Assure any doctor who treats you that you have received Levophed.
How to take Levophed?
Levophed can be infused into a vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider.Levophed can be given for as long as necessary until the body reacts to it. Some people need to take this medication for several days.While you receive Levophed, your blood pressure, breathing, and other vital indicators will be closely monitored.Inform your carers immediately if you experience any discomfort, such as pain, irritation, a cold sensation, or any other discomfort, in the skin or veins around where the medicine was injected. If the medication accidentally leaks from the vein, it can cause damage to the skin and tissues surrounding the injection site.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Levophed will be administered by a medical professional in an urgent situation, so you won't miss a single dose.
What happens if I overdose?
For poison assistance, call 1-800-222-1222 or get immediate medical help.Overdose symptoms include slow heartbeats and severe headaches.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes any restrictions regarding food, beverage, or activity, follow their instructions.
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor, if possible, about your current medications, including:
- Antidepressants are a type of medication.
- Blood pressure medication
- An MAO inhibitor—isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
This list is incomplete. Levophed may be affected by other drugs, such as vitamins and herbs. This list does not include all drug interactions.
