Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Epinephrine as follows:
The side-effects of epinephrine vary widely, based on the dose and route of administration.
Renal system side-effects
- Epinephrine use can result in narrowing of blood vessels in the renal system, contributing to reduced blood flow to the kidneys, decreased filtration by glomerulus, reduced urine formation and decreased urinary output.
- Low urine output due to epinephrine can result in increased fluid retention, which can lead to edema, swelling, and rapid weight gain.
- Individuals with history of compromised renal function can be at increased risk for deteriorating renal function with epinephrine use.
Central nervous system side-effects
- Epinephrine, secondary to changes in blood pressure and heart rate, can induce some dizziness and make one drowsy.
- Epinephrine use also can increase the nervousness, sweating, and anxiety, resulting in impulsiveness, irritability, aggressive behavior, and even seizures.
Tissue damage and necrosis
- Repeated epinephrine administration into the same site can result in closing the blood vessels down locally, around the site of injection, thus shutting off the blood supply in that area. Decreased blood supply can reduce the absorption of epinephrine from the site of injection, thus compromising the therapeutic advantage.
- As epinephrine administration can compromise blood supply in the surrounding tissues, the site of administration can present with numbness, altered sensation, coldness, and pallor. Secondary to poor oxygenated blood supply, the site of epinephrine administration and surrounding tissues can sometimes present with signs and symptoms of infection, such as, redness, pain and tenderness, and swelling. Reduced local blood supply can also result in local tissue death, necrosis, and development of ulcers in the site of repeated epinephrine administration.
