What Is Epinephrine, and How Is it Used?

Epinephrine is whats called a vasoconstrictor that narrows blood vessels, widening the lungs' airways in the process. These effects have the power to reverse acute problems including low blood pressure, gasping, severe itching of the skin, hives, and other symptoms of an allergic response. A prescription medication called epinephrine is typically used in emergency settings to treat severe allergic responses to foods, insect stings or bites, reversal hives, high blood pressure, and to assist reduce swelling of the face, lips, and neck. In prescription, epinephrine has a much higher concentration.

Things to Ask Your Doctor Before Using Epinephrine.

Before initiating treatment with epinephrine, it is necessary to take a variety of preventative measures beforehand. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have ever had an allergic response to epinephrine or any of the other ingredients in this drug, or if you suffer from any other types of allergies before you start taking this medication for the first time. This pharmaceutical product available only with a doctor's prescription is likely to include some inert ingredients, any of which could cause allergic responses or other forms of health concerns. Therefore, prior to utilizing this medication, you should educate yourself regarding its constituent parts. If you are unsure, you should talk to your pharmacist, and while you are there, you should ask him to supply you with a list of the components that are found in epinephrine. 

There is a possibility that epinephrine contains sulfites. In spite of this, even if you have an allergy to sulfites, you should not let that stop you from using this medication if you are in a life-threatening situation. Because this medication has the potential to save lives, taking it as prescribed is more important than avoiding it because of any problems you might have with sulfites. Sulfites can cause allergic reactions in some people, and these reactions can be severe enough to prevent you from taking the medication.

It is imperative that you discuss your entire medical history with your pharmacist or primary care physician before using epinephrine for the first time. This is especially important if you have any heart conditions, such as arrhythmias (any change or problem in the rhythm of the heartbeat), coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), and/or thyroid disease. It is possible that this prescription medication will cause you to feel lightheaded. Because of this, it is best to avoid engaging in any activity that requires concentration, such as driving or operating a machine, until you have determined how the medication will affect you and are confident that you will be able to carry out the tasks in a secure manner. 

People who are taking epinephrine should severely limit their usage of alcoholic beverages because drinking alcohol can make the situation worse and can exacerbate the negative effects of the medication. People of advanced age who take this medication are likely to be more sensitive to the negative effects that come along with using this prescription treatment. They are more likely to encounter a sudden spike in blood pressure, which is associated with increased dangers, provided that they also have disorders. Women who are pregnant should only take this drug if their doctor has determined that it is very required to treat their condition. Even nursing mothers who are newly pregnant and using this medicine should refrain from doing so without first visiting their doctor. In any event, it is strongly recommended that you discuss the potential benefits as well as dangers associated with the use of epinephrine with your personal physician.