Epinephrine, also called adrenaline, is a hormone that the adrenal glands produce in the body. People use artificial epinephrine as a medication to treat severe allergic reactions. People who have allergies to specific foods, insect venom, or other substances often carry an epinephrine auto-injector to self-administer the drug in emergencies.
Many people refer to this device by the brand name EpiPen. An injection of synthetic epinephrine through a spring-loaded syringe can act as an emergency medical treatment for severe allergic reactions, including those that occur in response to:.
The injection delivers a dose of epinephrine, which narrows the blood vessels to increase blood pressure and opens the airways to enable normal breathing. It is especially important to use epinephrine when a person experiences anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is a life threatening allergic reaction that can occur within minutes of exposure to an allergen. Its signs and symptoms include:. Epinephrine is the only effective treatment for anaphylaxis, including exercise-induced anaphylaxis. It is only available with a prescription.
People primarily use an epinephrine injection for the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions. People with severe allergies should always carry an auto-injector with them in case of exposure to an allergen. People should administer epinephrine within minutes of the onset of severe allergy symptoms. Failure to treat anaphylaxis increases the risk of death.
Some auto-injectors may require a different method of administration. Therefore, individuals should always follow the instructions on the device that their doctor has prescribed. After use, place the auto-injector into the tube ensuring that the tip is pointing downward and put the cap back on. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.
To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Do not let anyone else take your medication.
If you use a prefilled automatic injection device, be sure to get a replacement right away. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.
You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Generic alternatives may be available. Epinephrine Injection pronounced as ep'' i nef' rin. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow?
What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names. Other uses for this medicine. It can also be used as a drug due to its various important functions.
Epinephrine is currently FDA-approved for various situations, including emergency treatment of type 1 hypersensitivity reactions such as anaphylaxis after allergic reactions and severe low blood pressure, or hypotension, due to septic shock.
In addition to these indications, epinephrine is the primary drug administered during cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR to reverse cardiac arrest. Dosage delivery routes for epinephrine include intravenous, inhalation, nebulization, intramuscular injection, and subcutaneous injection. Anaphylaxis is an acute and potentially lethal multisystem allergic reaction. Most consensus guidelines for the past 30 years have held that epinephrine is the drug of choice and the first drug that should be administered in acute anaphylaxis.
Epinephrine's most popular use is to reverse the effects of severe allergic reactions. Off-label uses of epinephrine include, but are not limited to, ventricular fibrillation , pulseless ventricular tachycardia, asystole, pulseless electrical activity PEA , croup , and severe asthma exacerbations unresponsive to standard treatment.
Epinephrine is a sympathomimetic catecholamine that exerts its pharmacologic effects on both alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors. It has a dose dependent response on alpha and beta receptors that leads to different pharmacological effects in the body. In small doses it has a greater affinity for beta receptors, but in larger doses it produces more selective action on alpha receptors. Its impact on alpha-1 receptors leads to increased vascular smooth muscle contraction, pupillary dilator muscle contraction, and intestinal sphincter muscle contraction.
Its impact on beta-1 receptors leads to increased heart rate, myocardial contractility, and renin-release. Stimulation of beta-2 receptors leads to bronchodilation, which may be useful as an adjunct treatment of asthma exacerbations as well as vasodilation, tocolysis, and increased aqueous humor production.
Epinephrine works to alleviate anaphylaxis by relaxing the smooth muscles of the bronchi found in our lungs. It is also helpful in conditions such as asthma due to its ability to relieve bronchospasm, wheezing, and dyspnea or shortness of breath. Epinephrine is administered differently depending on its reason for use. To treat anaphylaxis, it is best to inject epinephrine in the muscle, preferably the thigh, due to rapid absorption.
It's important to note that epinephrine's half-life is approximately two to three minutes. When administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, local vasoconstriction may occur after the drug has been rapidly absorbed, delaying absorption which results in epinephrine's effects lasting longer than the half-life suggests.
For advanced cardiovascular life support ACLS , patients can receive epinephrine intravenously or intraosseous via the bone if needed. Another route of administration is through an endotracheal tube often used in neonatal resuscitation.
If you notice someone experiencing anaphylactic symptoms such as lightheadedness, dizziness, difficulty breathing or wheezing, hives, nausea, vomiting, tongue swelling, difficulty swallowing, facial swelling, or mental confusion they may be having a life-threatening allergic reaction. When there are symptoms of anaphylaxis, epinephrine should be administered immediately, even before calling Medical expert consensus believes that there is no absolute contraindication to epinephrine administration in anaphylaxis.
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