Differential Diagnosis of Increased Plasma Catecholamine Levels

 

Disease related:

(1) pheochromocytoma or other catecholamine-producing tumor

(2) pre-eclampsia

(3) subarachnoid hemorrhage

(4) migraine headaches

(5) intracranial mass lesions

(6) intracerebral vasculitis

 

Reactive:

(1) stress

(2) exercise

(3) upright posture (vs recumbent)

 

Drug related:

(1) alcohol withdrawal

(2) abrupt discontinuation of clonidine therapy

(3) amphetamines

(4) LSD

(5) ephedrine or pseudoephedrine

(6) cocaine

(7) phencyclidine (PCP)

(8) isoproterenol

(9) phenylpropanolamine

(10) MAO inhibitors (phenelzine, selegiline, clorgiline)

(11) ajmaline monoethanolate (antiarrhythmic drug)

(12) diazoxide

(13) ether

(14) nitroglycerin

(15) phentolamine mesylate

(16) propranolol

(17) theophylline

(18) levodopa or methyldopa