Introduction

Name

• Epinephrine.

Class of drug

• Catecholamine with both alpha- and beta-adrenergic activity.

Description

Storage requirements

• Epinephrine is sensitive to light and air, and is unstable in 5% dextrose.

Uses

Indications

• Primarily used in the treatment of anaphylaxis and in cardiac resuscitation.

Administration

Pharmacokinetics

Precautions

Interactions

with other drugs

• Toxicity may occur if used with other sympathomimetic amines, eg isoproterenol because of additive effects.
• The effects of epinephrine may be potentiated by antihistamines, eg chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, and thyroxine.
• Propranolol may block the beta effects of epinephrine, thus facilitating an increase in blood pressure.
• Alpha-blocking agents or diuretics may negate or diminish the pressor effects of epinephrine.
• When epinephrine is used with drugs that sensitize the myocardium, eg halothane   Halothane  , high doses of digoxin, monitor for signs of arrhythmias.
• Try to avoid the use of epinephrine in halothane-anesthetized animals   Halothane  .
• Hypertension may result if epinephrine is used with oxytocic agents   Oxytocin  .

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.

Other sources of information

• Based on Small Animal Formulary. Tennant Bryn (1999) 3rd edn. Cheltenham: BSAVA.
• The Veterinary Formulary. 4th edn (1998) Bishop Y (Ed). British Veterinary Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
• Flecknell P A (1996) Laboratory Animal Anaesthesia. 2nd edn. Academic Press.