Octopamine

Pre-existing hypertension; occlusive vascular disease; phaeochromocytoma; angle-closure glaucoma (eye drops); hypersensitivity; cardiac arrhythmias.

CV diseases; hyperthyroidism; DM; Parkinson's disease; elderly; pregnancy, lactation, prostate disorders.

CNS effects; GI disturbances; epigastric pain; CV disorders; difficulty in micturition with urinary retention; dyspnoea; hyperglycaemia; sweating; hypersalivation; weakness, tremors; coldness of extremities; hypokalaemia, tachycardia, reflex bradycardia. Gangrene, tissue necrosis and sloughing (extravasation), especially when used in addition to local anaesthetics.

May antagonise effects of antihypertensives, guanethidine. Increased risk of ventricular fibrillation with inhalational anaesthetics. Pressor effects may be enhanced by ergot alkaloids or oxytocin. Additive toxicity may occur with antiparkinsonian drugs.
Potentially Fatal: Severe hypertension with MAOIs and other sympathomimetics.

Description:
Mechanism of Action: Octopamine is a sympathomimetic with predominantly α-adrenergic activity used in the treatment of hypotensive states.

Vasoconstrictors