Norepinephrine

Category: neurotransmitter

Aliases: Noradrenaline, NE, NA

Pharmacological Mechanism

catecholamine synthesis synthesised from dopamine by dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH, Cu + ascorbate dependent). Dominant adrenergic receptor signaling α₁ vasoconstrictor; also β₁ inotropic, weaker β₂. Sympathetic postganglionic neurotransmitter and locus coeruleus CNS projection neurotransmitter (arousal, attention, noradrenergic tone).

Dosing Guidelines

• IV: Typical 1.03 mcg (Range: 0.05–3 mcg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous
• cardiovascular

Interactions

• Dopamine (synergistic): Upstream catecholamine precursor via DβH.

Pathways It Modulates

• Adrenergic receptor signaling (activator) — α1 + β1 (minimal β2)
• cAMP / PKA second-messenger signaling (activator) — α + β1 (Gs for β1)

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 439260
• Formula: C8H11NO3
• Molecular weight: 169.18 g/mol
• InChIKey: SFLSHLFXELFNJZ-QMMMGPOBSA-N
• SMILES: C1=CC(=C(C=C1[C@H](CN)O)O)O