racemic epinephrine

Racemic epinephrine is a 1:1 mixture of the dextrorotatory (d) and levorotatory (l) isomers of epinephrine, functioning as a non-selective agonist of alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors. Its primary therapeutic effect in the respiratory tract is mediated via alpha-adrenergic-induced vasoconstriction, which reduces mucosal edema and upper airway swelling, and beta-adrenergic-induced bronchodilation. In the specific clinical context of patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), nebulized racemic epinephrine is being investigated as a prophylactic treatment to mitigate post-operative dysphagia caused by soft tissue edema. This research is led by Andrew Chung and involves a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (NCT02724761) to evaluate its efficacy in preventing swallowing difficulties following cervical spine surgery.

Brand names

AsthmaNefrinS2S-2S 2

Other names

racepinephrinenebulized racemic epinephrine1,2-Benzenediol, 4-[1-hydroxy-2-(methylamino)ethyl]-, (±)-