Adrenaline
About Adrenaline
Adrenaline belongs to a class of medicines called 'sympathomimetic', primarily used for the treatment of cardiac arrest, hypotension due to septic shock and life-threatening allergic reactions. Cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of blood flow resulting from the failure of the heart to pump effectively. Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis due to foods, drugs, insect stings, bites, or other allergens. It may cause symptoms like breathing difficulty, facial swelling, dizziness, confusion and hives.
Adrenaline contains 'adrenaline', also called epinephrine. Adrenaline is used to increase blood flow to the heart and increase the chance of restoring a heartbeat in cardiac arrest. Adrenaline increases mean arterial blood pressure in adult patients with hypotension associated with septic shock. It is also used to increase blood flow through veins by constricting blood vessels and helps to relax the muscles, which block the airways and allow breathing to return to normal in allergic reactions due to foods, drugs, insect stings or bites or any other allergens.
Adrenaline is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Adrenaline may cause common side effects like increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, blurred vision, headache, dizziness, mood or mental changes, and an increase in blood pressure. If these side effects persist, consult your doctor immediately.
Adrenaline should not be taken if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you are using any medicines other than Adrenaline. Inform your doctor if you are a pregnant/breastfeeding woman. Do not use Adrenaline if the solution is discoloured. Adrenaline should be used with caution in brain disorders, pheochromocytoma (tumour on adrenal gland), pulmonary oedema, kidney impairment, liver impairment, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and narrow-angle glaucoma.
Uses of Adrenaline
Medicinal Benefits
Adrenaline contains 'adrenaline'; it is also called epinephrine. It belongs to a class of medicines called 'sympathomimetic', primarily taken for the treatment of cardiac arrest, hypotension due to septic shock and life-threatening allergic reactions. Adrenaline works by increasing blood flow to the heart and also increases the chance of restoring a heartbeat in cardiac arrest. Adrenaline increases mean arterial blood pressure in adult patients with hypotension associated with septic shock. It is also used to increase blood flow through veins by constricting blood vessels and helps to relax the muscles, which block the airways and allow breathing to return to normal in allergic reactions due to foods, drugs, insect stings or bites or any other allergens. Adrenaline is also used in the treatment of bradycardia(slow heart rate), mydriasis( dilation of the pupil of the eye) and acute asthma.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Adrenaline
- Increased heart rate
- Difficulty in breathing
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Mood or mental changes
- Increase in blood pressure.
Drug Warnings
Adrenaline should not be taken if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you are using any medicines other than Adrenaline. Inform your doctor if you are a pregnant/breastfeeding woman. Adrenaline should be used with caution in brain disorders, pheochromocytoma (tumour on adrenal gland), pulmonary oedema, kidney impairment, hypertension, and liver impairment. Adrenaline is not recommended for diabetes, Parkinson's disease, hyperthyroidism, narrow-angle glaucoma and cardiovascular diseases. Adrenaline is for emergency use only, and medical supervision of the patients is necessary after administration.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Adrenaline may have interactions with anti-depressants (imipramine, amitriptyline), anti-cancer (Procarbazine), beta-blockers (propranolol), sympathomimetic agents (Oxytocin), alpha-blockers (phentolamine), adrenergic neuron blockers (guanethidine), bronchodilators (aminophylline, theophylline), anti-diabetic drugs (insulin), antihistamines (diphenhydramine), selective MAO inhibitors (linezolid), cardiac-glycosides (digoxin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Adrenaline may interact with alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Adrenaline is contraindicated in cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, brain disorders, pulmonary oedema, kidney impairment, liver impairment, hypertension, narrow-angle glaucoma, pheochromocytoma (tumour on adrenal gland), diabetes or hyperthyroidism.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid or limit consumption of alcohol while on treatment with Adrenaline.
Pregnancy
cautionAdrenaline is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast Feeding
cautionAdrenaline is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Driving
cautionAfter receiving this medicine, do not drive or operate machines which need high concentration as it may cause dizziness.
Liver
cautionAdrenaline should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Depending on the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required.
Kidney
cautionAdrenaline should be used with caution in patients with a history of kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Children
cautionAdrenaline may be used in children, but dose adjustments should be made by the doctor based on the height and weight of the child. So please consult your doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat fresh vegetables, nuts, beans and legumes.
- Avoid alcohol
- Quit smoking.
- Avoid fatty foods and spicy foods.
- Do regular exercise/walking to maintain good health.
- Keep your surroundings clean and neat to avoid sting/insect bites.
- Avoid contaminating your food in case of food allergies.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cardiac arrest: Cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness. The condition usually results from a problem with your heart's electrical system, which disrupts your heart's pumping action and stops blood flow to your body. Symptoms include sudden collapse, pulselessness, no breathing, and loss of consciousness.
Hypotension associated with septic shock: Dilated blood vessels may significantly decrease blood flow to certain organs or may result in a significant drop in blood pressure, leading to a state known as septic shock.
Life-threatening allergic reactions: Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis due to foods, drugs, insect stings or bites or any other allergens. Symptoms include pain, redness, swelling (in the area of sting and sometimes beyond), flushing, hives, itching, and a potentially life-threatening reaction that may impair breathing and cause the body to go into shock.
FAQs
Adrenaline is used to treat cardiac arrest, hypotension due to septic shock and life-threatening allergic reactions.
Adrenaline is used to increase blood flow to the heart and increase the chance of restoring a heartbeat in cardiac arrest. Adrenaline increases mean arterial blood pressure in adult patients with hypotension associated with septic shock. It is also used to increase blood flow through veins by constricting blood vessels and helps to relax the muscles, which block the airways and allow breathing to return to normal in allergic reactions due to foods, drugs, insect stings or bites or any other allergens.
Adrenaline is not recommended in thyrotoxicosis and narrow-angle glaucoma. It may worsen the patient's condition.
Adrenaline should be used with extreme caution in patients with brain damage or brain disorders such as stroke due to the increased risk of worsening the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Adrenaline will be administered into a muscle (intramuscular - IM) by the doctor or nurse. However, in emergency situations, the doctor may give you a diluted injection into a vein (intravenous - IV). Do not self-administer Adrenaline.
Adrenaline should not be given in areas like your fingers, ears, toes, nose, genital area, or buttocks, as these areas may not have poor blood circulation. If repeated doses are needed, the doctor will choose a different injection site.
Do not be given Adrenaline if the solution is discoloured and if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
If you experience any difficulty in breathing, sudden wheeziness, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting your whole body), consult the doctor immediately.
The side effects of Adrenaline include blurred vision, headache, dizziness, mood or mental changes, difficulty in breathing, increased heart rate and increase in blood pressure. Consult the doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
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