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Adrenaline junkie

Epinephrine
Skeletal formula of epinephrine (adrenaline)
Ball-and-stick model of epinephrine (adrenaline) molecule
Clinical data
Trade names EpiPen, Adrenaclick, others
AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph
MedlinePlus a603002
License data
Pregnancy
category
  • US: C (Risk not ruled out)
Addiction
liability
None
Routes of
administration
IV, IM, endotracheal, IC, nasal, eye drop
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • AU: S4 (Prescription only)
  • UK: POM (Prescription only)
  • US: Prescription only/OTC
Pharmacokinetic data
Metabolism adrenergic synapse (MAO and COMT)
Onset of action Rapid
Biological half-life 2 minutes
Duration of action Few minutes
Excretion Urine
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
PDB ligand
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.090
Chemical and physical data
Formula C9H13NO3
Molar mass 183.204 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)
Density 1.283±0.06 g/cm3 @ 20 °C, 760 Torr
  

Epinephrine, also known as adrenalin or adrenaline, is a hormone, neurotransmitter and medication. Epinephrine is normally produced by both the adrenal glands and certain neurons. It plays an important role in the fight-or-flight response by increasing blood flow to muscles, output of the heart, pupil dilation, and blood sugar. it does this by its effects on alpha and beta receptors. It is found in many animals and some one cell organisms.Jokichi Takamine first isolated epinephrine in 1901.

As a medication it is used to treat a number of conditions, including anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest, and superficial bleeding.Inhaled epinephrine may be used to improve the symptoms of croup. It may also be used for asthma when other treatments are not effective. It is given intravenously, by injection into a muscle, by inhalation, or by injection just under the skin. Common side effects include shakiness, anxiety, and sweating. A fast heart rate and high blood pressure may occur. Occasionally it may result in an abnormal heart rhythm. While the safety of its use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is unclear, the benefits to the mother must be taken into account.

The adrenal medulla is a minor contributor to total circulating catecholamines (L-DOPA is at a higher concentration in the plasma), though it contributes over 90% of circulating epinephrine. Little epinephrine is found in other tissues, mostly in scattered chromaffin cells. Following adrenalectomy, epinephrine disappears below the detection limit in the blood stream.


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Wikipedia

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