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Epinephrine

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Adrenalin, Adrenalin Vials, Adrenalinum, Auvi-Q, Epinephrine, Epinephrine 1553, Epinephrine...

Brand Names
Adrenalin, Adrenalin Vials, Adrenalinum, Auvi-Q, Epinephrine, Epinephrine 1553, Epinephrine Convenience Kit, Epipen, Epipen Jr, Neffy
Drug Class
alpha-Adrenergic Agonist [EPC], beta-Adrenergic Agonist [EPC], Catecholamine [EPC]
Route
SUBCUTANEOUS
Dosage Form
INJECTION
Product Type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG

Description

11 DESCRIPTION Epinephrine, USP is a non-selective alpha and beta-adrenergic agonist designated chemically as (R) -4-(1-Hydroxy-2-(methylamino)ethyl)benzene-1,2-diol, a white, microcrystalline powder. It has the following structural formula: The molecular weight of epinephrine is 183.2. Epinephrine solution deteriorates rapidly on exposure to air or light, turning pink from oxidation to adrenochrome and brown from the formation of melanin. Epinephrine Injection USP, 1 mg/10 mL (0.1 mg/mL) is supplied as a sterile aqueous solution that is clear, colorless and nonpyrogenic. Each mL of the solution contains epinephrine (0.1 mg) as the active ingredient and the following inactive ingredients: citric acid monohydrate (3.3 mg), edetate disodium dihydrate (0.004 mg), sodium chloride (8.2 mg), sodium citrate dihydrate (1.5 mg), sodium metabisulfite, and Water for Injection. Hydrochloric acid solution is added to dissolve the active ingredient. Sodium hydroxide solution is added to adjust the pH. Nitrogen is used for blanketing protection. Solution must be diluted prior to intravenous use. structure

What Is Epinephrine Used For?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Epinephrine is a non-selective alpha and beta adrenergic agonist indicated to increase mean arterial blood pressure in adult patients with hypotension associated with septic shock. ( 1.1 ) 1.1 Hypotension associated with Septic Shock Epinephrine Injection USP, 1 mg/10 mL (0.1 mg/mL) is indicated to increase mean arterial blood pressure in adult patients with hypotension associated with septic shock.

Dosage and Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

  • Hypotension associated with septic shock ( 2.2 ) : o Dilute epinephrine in dextrose solution prior to infusion. o Infuse epinephrine into a large vein. o Titrate 0.05 mcg/kg/min to 2 mcg/kg/min to achieve desired blood pressure. o Wean gradually. 2.1 General Considerations Inspect visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not use if the solution is colored or cloudy, or if it contains particulate matter. Discard any unused portion. 2.2 Hypotension associated with Septic Shock Dilute epinephrine in 5% Dextrose Injection, USP or 5% Dextrose and Sodium Chloride solution. These dextrose containing fluids provide protection against significant loss of potency by oxidation. Administration in saline solution alone is not recommended. If indicated, administer whole blood or plasma separately. Add the entire contents of epinephrine prefilled syringe to 1000 mL of a 5% Dextrose containing solution. Each mL of this dilution contains 1 mcg of epinephrine. Whenever possible, give infusions of epinephrine into a large vein. Avoid using a catheter tie-in technique, because the obstruction to blood flow around the tubing may cause stasis and increased local concentration of the drug. Avoid the veins of the leg in elderly patients or in those suffering from occlusive vascular diseases. To provide hemodynamic support in septic shock associated hypotension in adult patients, the suggested dosing infusion rate of intravenously administered epinephrine is 0.05 mcg/kg/min to 2 mcg/kg/min, and is titrated to achieve a desired mean arterial pressure (MAP). The dosage may be adjusted periodically, such as every 10 to 15 minutes, in increments of 0.05 mcg/kg/min to 0.2 mcg/kg/min, to achieve the desired blood pressure goal. After hemodynamic stabilization, wean incrementally over time, such as by decreasing doses of epinephrine every 30 minutes over a 12- to 24-hour period.

    • Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

    6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in labeling:

  • Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
  • Pulmonary Edema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
  • Cardiac Arrhythmias and Ischemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
  • Extravassation and Tissue Necrosis with Intravenous Infusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]
  • Renal Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]
  • Allergic Reactions associated with Sulfite [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)] The following adverse reactions associated with the infusion of epinephrine were identified in the literature. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency reliably or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiovascular disorders: tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, limb ischemia, pulmonary edema Gastrointestinal disorders : Nausea, vomiting General disorders and administrative site conditions : Chest pain, extravasation Metabolic : hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hypokalemia, lactic acidosis Nervous system disorders : Headache, nervousness, paresthesia, tremor, stroke, central nervous system bleeding Psychiatric disorders : Excitability Renal disorders : Renal insufficiency Respiratory : Pulmonary edema, rales Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders : Diaphoresis, pallor, piloerection, skin blanching, skin necrosis with extravasation Most common adverse reactions to systemically administered epinephrine are headache; anxiety; apprehensiveness; restlessness; tremor; weakness; dizziness; sweating; palpitations; pallor; peripheral coldness; nausea/vomiting; and/or respiratory difficulties. Arrhythmias, including fatal ventricular fibrillation, rapid rises in blood pressure producing cerebral hemorrhage, and angina have occurred. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-423-4136 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

    • Drug Interactions

    7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Drugs that counter the pressor effects of epinephrine include alpha blockers, vasodilators such as nitrates, diuretics, antihypertensives, and ergot alkaloids. ( 7 .1) Drugs that potentiate the effects of epinephrine include sympathomimetics, beta blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, COMT inhibitors, clonidine, doxapram, oxytocin, levothyroxine sodium, and certain antihistamines. ( 7 .2) Drugs that increase the arrhythmogenic potential of epinephrine include beta blockers, cyclopropane and halogenated hydrocarbon anesthetics, quinidine, antihistamines, exogenous thyroid hormones, diuretics, and cardiac glycosides. Observe for development of cardiac arrhythmias. ( 7 .3) Potassium-depleting drugs, including corticosteroids, diuretics, and theophylline, potentiate the hypokalemic effects of epinephrine. ( 7 .4) 7.1 Drugs Antagonizing Pressor Effects of Epinephrine

  • α-blockers, such as phentolamine
  • Vasodilators, such as nitrates
  • Diuretics
  • Antihypertensives
  • Ergot alkaloids
  • Phenothiazine antipsychotics 7.2 Drugs Potentiating Pressor Effects of Epinephrine
  • Sympathomimetics
  • β-blockers, such as propranolol
  • Tricyclic anti-depressants
  • Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
  • Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors, such as entacapon
  • Clonidine
  • Doxapram
  • Oxytocin 7.3 Drugs Potentiating Arrhythmogenic Effects of Epinephrine Patients who are concomitantly receiving any of the following drugs should be observed carefully for the development of cardiac arrhythmias [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) and Adverse Reactions (6)].
  • β-blockers, such as propranolol
  • Cyclopropane or halogenated hydrocarbon anesthetics, such as halothane
  • Antihistamines
  • Thyroid hormones
  • Diuretics
  • Cardiac glycosides, such as digitalis glycosides
  • Quinidine 7.4 Drugs Potentiating Hypokalemic Effects of Epinephrine
  • Potassium depleting diuretics
  • Corticosteroids
  • Theophylline

    • Contraindications

    4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None.

    Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

    8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Limited published data on epinephrine use in pregnant women are not sufficient to determine a drug-associated risk for major birth defects or miscarriage. However, there are risks to the mother and fetus associated with epinephrine use during labor or delivery, and risks due to untreated hypotension associated with septic shock (see Clinical Considerations) . In animal reproduction studies, epinephrine demostrated adverse developmental effects when administed to pregnant rabbits (gastroschisis), mice (teratogenie effects, embryonic lethality, and delayed skeletal ossification), and hamsters (embryonic lethality and delayed skeletal ossification) during organogenesis at doses approximately 15 times, 3 times and 2 times, respectively, the maximum recommended daily intramuscular or subcutaneous dose (see Data). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the United States general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Hypotension associated with septic shock is a medical emergency in pregnancy which can be fatal if left untreated. Delaying treatment in pregnant women with hypotension associated with septic shock may increase the risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Do not withhold life-sustaining therapy for a pregnant woman. Labor or Delivery Epinephrine usually inhibits spontaneous or oxytocin-induced contractions of the pregnant human uterus and may delay the second stage of labor. Avoid epinephrine during the second stage of labor. In dosage sufficient to reduce uterine contractions, the drug may cause a prolonged period of uterine atony with hemorrhage. Avoid epinephrine in obstetrics when maternal blood pressure exceeds...

    Overdosage

    10 OVERDOSAGE Overdosage of epinephrine may produce extremely elevated arterial pressure, which may result in cerebrovascular hemorrhage, particularly in elderly patients. Overdosage may also result in pulmonary edema because of peripheral vascular constriction together with cardiac stimulation. Epinephrine overdosage may also cause transient bradycardia followed by tachycardia and these may be accompanied by potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Premature ventricular contractions may appear within one minute after injection and may be followed by multifocal ventricular tachycardia (prefibrillation rhythm). Subsidence of the ventricular effects may be followed by atrial tachycardia and occasionally by atrioventricular block. Myocardial ischemia and infarction, cardiomyopathy, extreme pallor and coldness of the skin, metabolic acidosis due to elevated blood lactic acid levels, and renal insufficiency and failure have also been reported. Epinephrine is rapidly inactivated in the body and treatment following overdose is primarily supportive. Treatment of pulmonary edema consists of a rapidly acting alpha-adrenergic blocking drug (such as phentolamine mesylate) and respiratory support. Treatment of arrhythmias consists of administration of a beta-adrenergic blocking drug (such as propranolol). If necessary, pressor effects may be counteracted by rapidly acting vasodilators (such as nitrites) or alpha-adrenergic blocking drugs. If prolonged hypotension follows such measures, it may be necessary to administer another pressor drug.

    How Supplied

    16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Epinephrine Injection USP, 1 mg/10 mL (0.1 mg/mL) is a clear colorless solution available in a single-dose Luer-Jet™ Luer-Lock prefilled syringe packaged in a carton. It is supplied in the following presentation. NDC: 70518-3816-00 PACKAGING: 10 in 1 PACKAGE, 1 in 1 CARTON, 10 mL in 1 SYRINGE TYPE 2 Epinephrine is light sensitive. Protect from light until ready to use. Do not refrigerate. Protect from freezing. Store at room temperature, between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). (See USP Controlled Room Temperature.) Protect from alkalis and oxidizing agents. Rx Only Repackaged and Distributed By: Remedy Repack, Inc. 625 Kolter Dr. Suite #4 Indiana, PA 1-724-465-8762

    About This Information

    This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.

    What are side effects?

    Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.

    What are drug interactions?

    Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.