epinephrine

Epinephrine is a hormone and neurotransmitter that acts as a nonselective agonist of alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors. It is used as a medication to treat life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), cardiac arrest, asthma exacerbations when other treatments are ineffective, croup (inhaled form), superficial bleeding, and low blood pressure due to septic shock. Epinephrine works by stimulating alpha-adrenergic receptors to cause vasoconstriction and reduce vascular permeability during anaphylaxis; it also stimulates beta-adrenergic receptors leading to bronchodilation (airway smooth muscle relaxation), increased heart rate and contractility (beta-1 effects), increased glycogenolysis in the liver and muscle, lipolysis in adipose tissue, mydriasis (pupil dilation), inhibition of insulin secretion by the pancreas (alpha effect), glucagon release from the pancreas (beta effect), ACTH secretion from the pituitary gland (beta effect) and overall increases in blood glucose and fatty acids for energy production. Epinephrine is produced synthetically for medical use; it was first isolated by Jōkichi Takamine in 1901[2][5][7][8].

Brand names

AdrenalinAuvi-QEpiPenSymjepi

Other names

adrenalineadrenalin