Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is a hormone and medication that plays a critical role in the body’s response to stress.
It is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), cardiac arrest, and asthma.
What are the uses of epinephrine?
Following are the uses of epinephrine:
- It is used in the treatment of cardiac arrest, which is a condition in which the heart suddenly stops beating.
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis): Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, as it helps to constrict blood vessels,
- increase heart rate, and relax the muscles in the airway, making it easier to breathe.
- Asthma: Epinephrine is used as a bronchodilator to relax the muscles in the airways, making it easier to breathe for people with asthma.
- Local anesthetic: Epinephrine is used as a vasoconstrictor in local anesthetics to reduce bleeding and increase the duration of anesthesia.
- Congestive heart failure: Epinephrine can be used as a medication in the treatment of congestive heart failure to improve cardiac output.
- Shock : Epinephrine is used as a medication to increase blood pressure in case of shock, which is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow.