warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Monitor patient for acute severe hypertension. (5.1) Avoid extravasation into tissues, which can cause local necrosis. (5.2) Potential for pulmonary edema, which may be fatal. (5.3) May constrict renal blood vessels and decrease urine formation. (5.4) May induce potentially serious cardiac arrhythmias or aggravate angina pectoris, particularly in patients with underlying heart disease. (5.5) Presence of sulfite in this product should not deter use. (5.7) 5.1 Hypertension When Epinephrine Injection is administered intravenously, titrate the infusion while monitoring vital signs. Invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring and central venous pressure monitoring are recommended. Because of varying response to epinephrine, dangerously high blood pressure may occur [ see Drug Interactions (7) ]. 5.2 Extravasation and Tissue Necrosis with Intravenous Infusion When Epinephrine Injection is administered intravenously, the infusion site should be checked frequently for free flow. Avoid extravasation of epinephrine into the tissues, to prevent local necrosis. Blanching along the course of the infused vein, sometimes without obvious extravasation, may be attributed to vasa vasorum constriction with increased permeability of the vein wall, permitting some leakage. This also may progress on rare occasions to superficial slough. Hence, if blanching occurs, consider changing the infusion site at intervals to allow the effects of local vasoconstriction to subside. Antidote for Extravasation Ischemia: To prevent sloughing and necrosis in areas in which extravasation has taken place, infiltrate the area with 10 mL to 15 mL of saline solution containing from 5 mg to 10 mg of phentolamine, an adrenergic blocking agent. Use a syringe with a fine hypodermic needle, with the solution being infiltrated liberally throughout the area, which is easily identified by its cold, hard, and pallid appearance. Sympathetic blockade with phentolamine causes immediate and conspicuous local hyperemic changes if the area is infiltrated within 12 hours. 5.3 Pulmonary Edema When Epinephrine Injection is administered intravenously, there is risk of pulmonary edema because of the peripheral constriction and cardiac stimulation produced. Treatment of pulmonary edema consists of a rapidly acting alpha-adrenergic blocking drug (such as phentolamine mesylate) and respiratory support. 5.4 Renal Impairment Intravenously administered epinephrine initially may produce constriction of renal blood vessels and decrease urine formation. 5.5 Cardiac Arrhythmias and Ischemia Epinephrine may induce cardiac arrhythmias and angina pectoris in patients, especially patients suffering from coronary artery disease, organic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, or patients who are receiving drugs that sensitize the myocardium [see Adverse Reactions (6) and Drug Interactions (7) ]. Treatment of arrhythmias consists of administration of a beta-adrenergic blocking drug (such as propranolol). 5.6 Other Disease Interactions Epinephrine should be administered with caution to patients with hyperthyroidism, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes mellitus, pheochromocytoma, elderly individuals, and pregnant women. Patients with Parkinson’s disease may experience psychomotor agitation or notice a temporary worsening of symptoms. Diabetic patients may experience transient increases in blood sugar. Despite these concerns, the presence of these conditions is not a contraindication to epinephrine administration in an acute, life-threatening situation. 5.7 Allergic Reactions Associated with Sulfite Epinephrine is the preferred treatment for serious allergic or other emergency situations even though this product contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may in other products cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms or life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible persons. The alternatives to using epinephrine in a life-threatening situation may not be satisfactory. The presence of sulfite(s) in this product should not deter administration of the drug for treatment of serious allergic or other emergency situations.