Adrenaline
Adrenaline Information

About Adrenaline

Adrenaline is a sympathomimetic amine, alpha-and beta-adrenoreceptor agonist, synthesized from tyrosine in the adrenal medulla and released along with small quantities of nor-it into blood stream, upon stimulation by the central nervous system in response to stress, anger or fear, acting to increase heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output and carbohydrate metabolism. Adrenaline is a very potent vasoconstrictor and cardiac stimualnt. It also acts as a bronchodialator (dilates the bronchi i.e. air passage) and relieves respiratory discomfort in bronchial asthma and emphysema.

Indications

Adrenaline is primarily indicated in conditions like Acute allergic reactions, Anaphylactic shock, Angioedema, Capillary bleeding in palliative care, Cardiac arrest, Life-threatening angioedema, Metastatic colorectal cancer, Open-angle glaucoma, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Anesthesia, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Priapism.

Contraindication

Adrenaline is contraindicated in conditions like Diabetes mellitus,Hypertension,Hyperthyroidism,Ischaemic heart disease,Angle-closure glaucoma.

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Adrenaline, which give rise to further complications include Local ischemic necrosis.Adrenaline produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Ventricular fibrillation, Cerebral hemorrhage, Pulmonary edema. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Adrenaline therapy.The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Adrenaline include Cardiac arrhythmias, Cerebral hemorrhage, Pulmonary edema, Rise in B.P..The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Adrenaline are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Weakness, Dizziness, Headache, Anxiety, Dyspnea, Restlessness, Palpitation, Tachycardia, Tremors, Cold extremities, Stinging, Redness of eye.

Warnings

Care should be excercised in elderly as they are more sensitive to the effects of epinephrine. Use with caution in patients with ventricular fibrillation. Administer with great caution and in carefully circumscribed quantities in area of body served by end arteries (e.g. fingers, toes etc. because it can cause severe tissue necrosis). The use of epinephrine in children requires that the body weight of patient be known. Care should be instituted when adrenaline is administered to diabetic patients Arenaline Delays the second stage of labor.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Paediatrics, Pregnant Mothers, and Neonates.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.