epinephrine injection Health Article

Generic name(s):

epinephrine injection

Brand name(s):

epinephrine, Adrenalin, Ana-Guard, EpiPen 2-Pak, EpiPen Auto-Injector, EpiPen JR 2-Pak, EpiPen JR Auto-Injector, Twinject Auto-Injector, Twinject Auto-Injector Two Pack

What is the most important information I should know about epinephrine injection?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder.

Tell your doctor if you also take digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute, Quinidex), an antidepressant such as Elavil, Pamelor, Sinequan, or Tofranil, or an MAO inhibitor such as Marplan, Nardil, Azilect, Eldepryl, Emsam, or Parnate.

Do not inject epinephrine into a vein or into the muscles of your buttocks. Inject it only into the fleshy outer portion of the thigh. Accidentally injecting epinephrine into your hands or feet may result in a loss of blood flow to those areas, and resulting numbness. If this occurs, seek emergency medical attention. Seek emergency medical attention even after you use this medication to treat a severe allergic reaction. The effects of epinephrine injection may wear off after 10 or 20 minutes. You will need to receive further treatment and observation. Before using epinephrine a second time, tell your doctor if your first injection caused a serious side effect such as increased breathing difficulty, or dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure). Store the auto-injector device in the original tube it came in. Keep this tube at room temperature away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Do not refrigerate this medication, or store it in a car.

What is epinephrine injection?

Epinephrine is a chemical that narrows blood vessels and opens airways in the lungs. These effects can reverse severe low blood pressure, wheezing, severe skin itching, hives, and other symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Epinephrine injection is used to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to insect stings or bites, foods, drugs, and other allergens. Epinephrine is also used to treat exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

Epinephrine auto-injectors such as EpiPen and EpiPen Jr. may be kept on hand for self-injection by a person with a history of an severe allergic reaction.

Epinephrine injection may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using epinephrine injection?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

• heart disease or high blood pressure;

• a heart rhythm disorder;

• diabetes; or

• a thyroid disorder.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use epinephrine, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use the medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. If possible before ever using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Before an emergency occurs, talk to your doctor about using epinephrine injection if you are breast-feeding a baby.