Epinephrine Flashcards
Classification
Adrenergic agent, inotropic
Action
Binds strongly with both alpha and beta receptors, producing increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, bronchodialation
Indications
Bronchospasm, allergic and anaphylactic reactions, restoration of cardiac activity in cardiac arrest
Adverse effects
Anxiety, headache, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, nervousness, tremors, chest pain, nausea/vomiting
Contraindications
Arrhythmias other than VF, asystole, PEA; cardiovascular disease; hypertension; cerebrovascular disease; shock secondary to causes other than anaphylactic shock; closed-angle glaucoma; diabetes; pregnant women in active labor; known sensitivity to epinephrine or sulfites
Adult dosage (cardiac arrest)
1 mg (1:10,000 solution) IV, IO; may repeat every 3-5 mins
Peds dosage (cardiac arrest)
0.01 mg/kg (1:10,000 solution) IV, IO; repeat every 3-5 mins as needed (max dose: 1 mg)
Adult dosage (symptomatic bradycardia)
1 mcg/min (1:10,000 solution) as a continuous IV infusion; usual dosage range: 2-10 mcg/min; titrate to effect
Peds dosage (symptomatic bradycardia)
0.01 mcg/kg (1:10,000 solution) IV, IO; may repeat every 3-5 mins (max dose: 1 mg). If giving epi by ET tube administer 0.1 mg/kg
Adult dosage (asthma attacks & certain allergic reactions)
0.3 to 0.5 mg (1:1,000 solution) IM or Sub-Q; may repeat every 10-15 mins (max dose: 1 mg)
Peds dosage (asthma attacks & certain allergic reactions)
0.01 mg/kg (1:1,000 solution) IM or Sub-Q (max dose: 0.5 mg)
Adult dosage (anaphylactic shock)
0.1 mg (1:10,000 solution) IV slowly over 5 mins, or IV infusion of 1 to 4 mcg/min, titrate d to effect
Peds dosage (anaphylactic shock)
Continous IV infusion rate of 0.1 to 1 mcg/kg/min (1:10,000 solution); titrate to response
Special considerations
Half-life 1 min; pregnancy class c
