Epinephrine
Want to watch this video? Sign up for the course
or enter your email below to watch one free video.
Unlock This Video Now for FREE
This video is normally available to paying customers.
You may unlock this video for FREE. Enter your email address for instant access AND to receive ongoing updates and special discounts related to this topic.
All About Epinephrine (Adrenaline)
Understanding Epinephrine
A Versatile Chemical for Critical Situations
- Alias Adrenaline: Epinephrine is commonly known as adrenaline.
- Physiological Effects: It narrows blood vessels, opens airways in the lungs, and can reverse severely low blood pressure.
- Source and Function: Mainly secreted by the adrenal glands in the medulla, it primarily increases cardiac output and raises blood glucose levels.
- Stress Response: Normally released during acute stress, preparing an individual for "fight or flight," making it a primary medication for nonprofusing cardiac arrests.
- Sympathomimetic Properties: Epinephrine is a sympathomimetic agent that stimulates alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors.
Medical Uses of Epinephrine
When and How Epinephrine Is Administered
- Enhanced Blood Flow: Improves myocardial and cerebral blood flow during CPR, increasing peripheral resistance and profusion pressures.
- Allergic Manifestations: Used to reverse acute anaphylaxis's allergic manifestations.
- Bronchospasm Relief: Administered to relieve acute and severe asthma-related bronchospasms despite nebulization therapy.
Epinephrine Dosage and Administration
Forms, Dosage, and Contraindications
- Available Forms: Epinephrine is available in prefilled syringes or ampules with various concentrations (1:1000 or 1:10,000).
- Contraindications: Avoid repeated doses in hypothermic patients; caution in non-cardioselective beta-blocker users like Propranolol.
- CPR Administration: Given with shockable rhythms after the third shock and alternately (third, fifth, seventh shocks); with non-shockable rhythms, administered after achieving IV access and following alternative cycles.
- Age and Concentration Variations: Dosage depends on the patient's age and the concentration used; administered intravenously or intraosseously.
- Anaphylaxis and Asthma: Administered in the anterior lateral aspect of the thigh for anaphylaxis and life-threatening asthma.
Recommended Products For You
Public Access Bleed Control Kit Pro - Large
£80.00 + VAT
PRO Dental Kit No Bag
£99.95 + VAT
Dental Medical Resus Pack
£242.00 + VAT
PRO Dental Kit with bag
£345.00 + VAT
HeartSine samaritan PAD 350P - Special Offer -
£760.00 + VAT
HeartSine 350P Internal Package - Special Offer
£875.00 + VAT
BSi First Aid Kit Medium
£20.09 + VAT