Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Adrenaline as follows:
- Adrenaline use can increase the cardiac performance and the pumping action of the heart. Digoxin taken by individuals with complaint of heart failure and thyroid hormone taken as a supplement by individuals with complaint of hypothyroidism also increase the cardiac performance and the pumping action of the heart. The action of Adrenaline with regards to improving cardiac performance can be potentiated by drugs such as, digoxin and thyroid hormone. This can significantly increase the workload on the failing heart in individuals with history of heart failure, thus leading to deterioration of cardiac function. Adrenaline intake with these medications can also lead to significantly increased heart rate and risk for arrhythmias development. So, Adrenaline use must be avoided in individuals taking other medications that also stand a chance of increasing cardiac performance.
- Adrenaline use can result in narrowing of blood vessels, contributing to elevated blood pressure, headache, and dizziness. Ergotamine use, taken by individuals for relief of migraine, can also lead to increase in blood pressure. These medications can complement each other with regards to elevating blood pressure and consequently, lead to poorly controlled hypertension. Acutely elevated blood pressure in these individuals can significantly increase the risk for development of stroke. So, Adrenaline is avoided or used with extreme caution along with ergotamine and other medications that also stand a chance of increasing the blood pressure.
