Epinephrine

Epinephrine definition

a sympathomimetic hormone that mimics the sympathetic (fight or flight) response.

Vascular effects of epinephrine

causes blood vessels to constrict, reversing vasodilation and hypotension.

Blood pressure effect

elevates diastolic pressure and improves coronary blood flow.

Cardiac and respiratory effects

increases cardiac contractility and relieves bronchospasm in the lungs.

Anaphylaxis reversal

can rapidly reverse the effects of anaphylaxis.

Prescription and delivery

prescribed by a physician and comes predosed in an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen).

Alternative device

Auvi-Q is another auto-injector, shaped differently and available in a 0.1 mg dose for patients weighing 17–33 lb (7.5–15 kg).