Epinephrine; Used In Combination with Medical Treatment to Treat Life-Threatening Allergic Reactions

Epinephrine, also referred to as adrenaline, is a hormone and neurotransmitter produced by the adrenal glands. It can be used to treat severe allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) to insect bites or foods, medicines, stings, or other substances. It is also used to treat anaphylaxis caused by unknown substances or triggered by exercise. It plays an important role in the regulation of the sympathetic nervous system, the part of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for the body's ‘fight or flight response.

Epinephrine helps improve breathing, raise dropping blood pressure, reverse hives, stimulate the heart, and reduce swelling of the throat, lips, and face. Epinephrine auto-injector, a medical device, is used to introduce doses of epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis. Auto-injectors contain a fixed dose of epinephrine and a spring-loaded needle to deliver medication to people suffering from anaphylaxis or severe allergic reactions. The drug helps reverse the effects of anaphylaxis and is used as the first line of treatment.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction and is common in the U.S. It occurs in about one in 50 Americans. The epinephrine auto-injectors are disposable, prefilled automatic devices intended for the self-administration of epinephrine in an emergency or for on-the-spot treatment during the onset of symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction. These auto-injectors are intended for self-administration of epinephrine to treat symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction.

Moreover, epinephrine induces increased pupillary dilator muscle contraction, vascular smooth muscle contraction, and intestinal sphincter muscle contraction. Other effects include increased myocardial contractility, heart rate, and renin release through beta-1 receptors. Epinephrine is the official name for the hormone that is adrenaline. It is a more common term in the U.S. but the latter (adrenaline) is more accepted in other areas of the world. Epinephrine is an International Non-Proprietary Name, whereas adrenaline is British Approved Name.