Adrenalin Chloride Side Effects

Generic name: epinephrine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 29, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Adrenalin Chloride Side Effects associated with epinephrine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Adrenalin Chloride.

Applies to epinephrine: inhalation aerosol liquid.

Other dosage forms:

• injection solution

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse. Your asthma may be getting worse if:

• You are not better in 20 minutes.
• You need more than 8 inhalations in 24 hours.
• You have more than 2 asthma attacks in a week.

Do not use this medicine if you are using or have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid [Marplan®], linezolid [Zyvox®], phenelzine [Nardil®], selegiline [Eldepryl®], tranylcypromine [Parnate®]) within the past 14 days.

This medicine may cause high blood pressure, which may increase your risk for heart attack or stroke. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, nausea or vomiting, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck, slurred speech, or weakness.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Adrenalin Chloride

Along with its needed effects, epinephrine (the active ingredient contained in Adrenalin Chloride) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking epinephrine:

Other side effects of Adrenalin Chloride

Some side effects of epinephrine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to epinephrine: compounding powder, inhalation aerosol, inhalation solution, injectable kit, injectable solution, intravenous solution, nasal spray, subcutaneous suspension.

General adverse events

Due to the lack of randomized, controlled clinical trials for the treatment of anaphylaxis, the true incidence of adverse reactions associated with the systemic use of this drug is difficult to determine. The most commonly reported adverse reactions include anxiety, apprehensiveness, restlessness, tremor, weakness, dizziness, sweating, palpitations, pallor, nausea and vomiting, headache, and/or respiratory difficulties.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, limb/peripheral ischemia, palpitations, angina, arrhythmias, hypertension, vasoconstriction, ventricular ectopy, ventricular fibrillation, cold extremities, electrocardiogram changes, stress cardiomyopathy^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Frequency not reported: Headache, paresthesia, tremor, stroke, central nervous system bleeding, dizziness, cerebral hemorrhage, memory impaired, lightheadedness, psychomotor agitation, tingling, Parkinsonism aggravated, syncope, convulsions, subarachnoid hemorrhage, hemiplegia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Nervousness, excitability, anxiety, apprehension, restlessness, disorientation, panic, hallucinations, psychosis, fear, sleeplessness/insomnia, tenseness, confusion, irritability^[Ref]

Local

• Frequency not reported: Extravasation, injection site pallor, coldness at injection site, hypoesthesia at injection site, injury at injection site, local ischemic necrosis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Diaphoresis, pallor, piloerection, skin blanching, skin necrosis with extravasation, necrotizing fasciitis, flushing/redness of skin and face, hyperhidrosis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hypokalemia, lactic acidosis, insulin secretion inhibited, metabolic acidosis, anorexia^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Pulmonary edema, rales, respiratory difficulty, dyspnea, bronchospasm, hypoxia of mucosa^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Renal insufficiency^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have been extremely unusual. Contact dermatitis has been associated with ocularly applied epinephrine (the active ingredient contained in Adrenalin Chloride) These reactions have typically presented with lid edema and a thick yellow discharge.

Gastrointestinal

• Frequency not reported: Nausea, vomiting, bowel necrosis, hypersalivation^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Urinary retention, difficult micturition^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Thrombocytosis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Myonecrosis^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Chest pain, weakness, gas gangrene, asthenia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Corneal endothelial damage^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Frequency not reported: Growth hormone secretion stimulated^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• Can you use an expired EpiPen in an emergency?
• Norepinephrine vs epinephrine: what's the difference?
• What's the mechanism of action for epinephrine?
• Can you bring an EpiPen on a plane?
• Does epinephrine cause vasoconstriction?
• How does neffy work?
• How much does Auvi-Q cost compared to EpiPen?

Further information

Adrenalin Chloride side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer