Neonatal Intensive Care Drug Manual

Glucose solutions (10%, 5%) are protective against the oxidation of noradrenaline.

Discard if exhibiting colour change (oxidation).

The antidote for extravasation ischaemia is phentolamine. Phentolamine is only available via the Special Access Scheme.

Norepinephrine is the first inotrope of choice in septic shock in adults.¹ Norepinephrine is also recommended as an inotrope in children with septic shock.² However, there are no trials comparing noradrenaline to other vasopressors in newborn infants. Noradrenaline was equivalent to other vasopressors in patients with hypotensive shock (newborns excluded), and resulted in less arrhythmia than dopamine.³ (LOE I, GOR B)