Epinephrine
Brand names
- Adrenalin
- Adrenalin Chloride
- Adreno-Mist
- Ana-Kit
- Asthmahaler
- Asthmanephrine
- Bronkaid Mist
- Citanest Forte
- Duranest [CD]
- Dysne-Inhal
- Epifrin
- E-Pilo Preparations {CD]
- Epinal Ophthalmic
- Epinephrine HCI
- Epipen
- Epitrate
- Marcaine
- Micronephrine
- Norocaine
- Octocaine
- P1E1
- P2E1
- P3E1
- P4E1
- P6E1
- Primatene Mist
- Propine Ophthalmic
- Sensorcaine
- Sus-Phrine
- Thalfed [CD]
- Therex [CD]
- Ultracaine
- Vaponefrin
- Xylocaine
Usage
To treat bronchial asthma,
emphysema, and other lung
diseases. Epinephrine is also
a primary treatment for anaphylaxis; that is a severe
hypersensitive (allergic) reaction to
medicaments or
other substances. It may also be used
to treat nasal congestion, to
prolong the action of anesthetics, and to treat cardiac
arrest. The ophthalmic form
of the medicament is used to treat glaucoma.
How it works
Epinephrine widens constricted airways in the lungs
by relaxing smooth muscles
that surround bronchial passages. It also raises
blood
pressure by constricting small
blood vessels, increases the
heart rate and strength of
heart contractions, and
decreases fluid pressure in the eye.
Side effects
- Serious
- Bluish color of skin, severe dizziness, flushing, and
difficulty breathing may indicate an allergic reaction to sulfites
in the medication. Go to your emergency department
immediately.
- Common
- Dry mouth and throat, trembling,
palpitations,
headaches.
Check with your doctor if these symptoms continue or
become bothersome.
- Less common
- Eye pain or headache from using eye drops.
Possible interactions
- Other medicaments:
Epinephrine taken concurrently with:
- some beta-blockers (carvedilol, carteolol,
nadolol, propranolol) may cause
increased blood pressure response to epinephrine and decreased heart rate
and resistance to epinephrine if it is used in anaphylaxis.
- chlorpromazine (Thorazine) or other phenothiazines may cause decreased blood pressure and increased heart rate.
- dihydroergotamine (D.H.E.) may cause extreme increases in blood pressure.
- furazolidone (Furoxone) may cause increased blood pressure.
- guanethidine (Esimil, Ismelin) may cause increased blood pressure.
- halothane may cause abnormal heartbeats.
- monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors may lead to large and undesirable increases in blood pressure.
- pilocarpine (Ocusert) may cause increased myopia.
- tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, etc.) may cause increased blood pressure and heart rhythm disturbances.
- zotepine (Nipolept) may lead to
low blood pressure and reversal of epinephrine benefits.
- Herbal medicines or minerals:
- Using St. John's wort,
ma huang, ephedrine-like
compounds or kola while taking this medicine may result in unacceptable
central nervous system stimulation. Fir or
pine needle oil should not be
used by asthmatics. Ma huang alone does carry a German Commission E
monograph indication for asthma treatment, but combining it with this
medicine would be like using two medicines from the same family and does
not make sense. If you are allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family (aster,
chrysanthemum, daisy or ragweed), you may also be allergic to
Echinacea,
chamomile,
feverfew and St. John's wort.
- Alcohol:
- Alcoholic beverages can increase the urinary excretion of this medicament.
- Occurrence of unrelated illness:
- Use caution in severe burns. This
medicament can increase drainage
from burned tissue and cause serious loss of tissue fluids
and blood proteins.
- Discontinuation:
- If this medicament fails after an adequate trial, stop using it and call
your doctor. It is dangerous to increase the dose or frequency.
- Special storage instructions:
- Protect medicament from exposure to air, light and heat.
Keep in a cool place, preferably in the refrigerator.
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