Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Epinephrine as follows:
- Epinephrine belongs to a class of compounds called monoamine neurotransmitters. Other neurotransmitters belonging to this class include serotonin, which plays an important role in promoting happiness and fight depression symptoms. Monoamine oxidases (MAOs) are enzymes causing breakdown and inactivation of these monoamines, epinephrine and serotonin. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like phenelzine are drugs used in the treatment of depression, which inhibit MAOs, preventing the inactivation and promoting the activity of monoamines. These drugs, in addition to promoting serotonin activity, also promote the activity of epinephrine, thus leading to elevated heart rate and blood pressure. Concurrent epinephrine administration in individuals taking MAOIs can result in compounding effects of these medications on heart rate and blood pressure and result in dangerously elevated blood pressure numbers, risk for stroke, tachycardia, and dangerous arrhythmias. So, epinephrine is avoided or used in low doses with extreme caution in individuals taking MAOI medications.
- Do not take epinephrine, if you ever manifested any allergic response to intake of epinephrine. In the event of an allergic response with this medication, report to your physician or other health care personnel, regarding your safety with continuing on intake of epinephrine.
