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Drug reference

droxidopa

Synthetic prodrug of norepinephrine · Vasopressor

Synthetic prodrug of norepinephrineVasopressorATC N07BC02
CDSCO approvedATC N07BC02
EXCRETION
not curated
INTERACTIONS
none in our sources
PREGNANCY
not curated

Mechanism

Droxidopa is a synthetic prodrug that is converted by L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase into norepinephrine, which then mediates its pharmacological effects.

Indications

orthostatic dizzinesslight-headedness (in adults with symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension associated with primary autonomic failure and impaired compensatory autonomic reflexes)

Pharmacokinetics

Protein binding
crosses the blood-brain barrier (presumably via amino acid transporter)
Metabolism
converted to norepinephrine by L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase

Related guidelines

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Sources: Goodman & Gilman 14e·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team