Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Epinephrine as follows:
- Epinephrine is avoided in individuals with history of tachycardia or fast heart rate, as it can further increase the heart rate and result in dangerous arrhythmias.
- Epinephrine carries the risk of increasing heart rate & causing and/or aggravating cardiac arrhythmias in individuals with history. Epinephrine can also interact with many antibacterial and antifungal antibiotics, antiarrhythmic medications, diuretics, antidepressants, and antipsychotic medications, resulting in development or aggravation of underlying cardiac arrhythmias, leading to debility and sudden cardiac death. Avoid taking epinephrine along with medications belonging to the above-mentioned groups, to prevent any dangerous arrhythmias from developing.
- 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. Individuals with history of compromised renal function can be at increased risk for deteriorating renal function with epinephrine use. In individuals with renal failure, epinephrine must be avoided or used with extreme caution and close monitoring for deteriorating renal function.
