Adrenaline

Question 1

What are the indications for adrenaline?

Answer 1

• Cardiac arrest
• Anaphylaxis
• Severe asthma
• imminent respiratory arrest from COPD
• Bradycardia with moderate to severe cardiovascular compromise
• BP support if unresponsive to metaraminol
• Septic shock, Cardiogenic shock, and neurogenic shock, unresponsive to 0.9% sodium chloride IV and metaraminol IV
• Stridor causing moderate to severe respiratory distress
• IN for clinically significant epistaxis
• Topical for clinically significant bleeding from a wound

Question 2

What are the contraindications for adrenaline?

Answer 2

NONE

Question 3

What are the precautions for adrenaline?

Answer 3

• Myocardial Ischaemia (increase oxygen consumption)
• Tachydysrhythmias (worsen)

Question 4

What are the dosages for adrenaline

Answer 4

• Topical: 1mg diluted into 10ml of solution
• IN: 1mg diluted into 10ml of solution
• Nebulised: undiluted
• IM: undiluted

Question 5

What is the usual preparation for adrenaline?

Answer 5

Ampoule containing 1mg in 1ml

Question 6

What is the MOA for adrenaline?

Answer 6

Adrenaline activates alpha and beta receptors, mainly alpha-1, beta-1, and beta-2.
Alpha-1: Causes blood vessel constriction, muscle contraction, and increases blood sugar.
Beta-1: Increases heart rate, heart contraction strength, and electrical conduction in the heart.
Beta-2: Relaxes muscles, widens airways, improves blood flow to muscles, and reduces histamine release.