LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Epinephrine
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Epinephrine is a hormone known as adrenaline. It is a catecholamine, a sympathomimetic monoamine derived from the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. Epinephrine is the fight or flight hormone which is released from the adrenal glands. It increases heart rate, dilates the pupils, and constricts arterioles in the skin and gut while dilating arterioles in muscles. Epinephrine elevates blood sugar levels by increasing catalysis of glycogen to glucose and at the same time begins the breakdown of lipids in fat cells. Like other stress hormones, epinephrine has a suppressive effect on the immune system.
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Epinephrine is for injection under the skin, into a muscle or into a vein. Injections can be given by a health care professional in a clinic or hospital setting. An auto-injector form is available for self-administration by patients who suffer a severe allergic response to certain stimuli. Read the directions carefully so that you will know how to use the auto-injector properly. Do not remove the safety cap until you are ready to use the auto-injector. When you need to use it, remove the gray cap. Place the black tip on the thigh at a right angle to your leg.
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Epinephrine plays a central role in the short-term stress reaction the physiological response to threatening, exciting or environmental stressor conditions such as high noise levels or bright light (see fight-or-flight response). It is secreted by the adrenal medulla. When released into the bloodstream, epinephrine binds to multiple receptors and has numerous effects throughout the body. It increases heart rate and stroke volume, dilates the pupils, and constricts arterioles in the skin and gut while dilating arterioles in leg muscles. It elevates the blood sugar level by increasing hydrolysis of glycogen to glucose in the liver, and at the same time begins the breakdown of lipids in fat cells. Epinephrine has a suppressive effect on the adaptive immune system.
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Epinephrine stimulates alpha-, beta1-, and beta2-adrenergic receptors in dose-related fashion. It is the initial drug of choice for treating bronchoconstriction and hypotension resulting from anaphylaxis as well as all forms of cardiac arrest. It is useful in managing reactive airway disease, but beta-adrenergic agents are often used initially because of their convenience and oral inhalation route. Rapid injection produces a rapid increase in systolic pressure, ventricular contractility, and heart rate. In addition, epinephrine causes vasoconstriction in the arterioles of the skin, mucosa, and splanchnic areas and antagonizes the effects of histamine.
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Epinephrine normally is present in the bloodstream in minute quantities. In times of excitement or emotional stress... large additional quantities are secreted, exerting a marked effect on body structures in preparation for physical exertion. For example, epinephrine stimulates the heart, constricts the small blood vessels, raises the blood pressure, liberates sugar stored in the liver, and relaxes certain involuntary muscles while contracting others. It is widely used as a drug to stimulate the heart in cases of shock, to prevent bleeding, and to expand lung bronchioles in acute asthma attacks.
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Epinephrine is very important in short-term stress reaction (see Fight or Flight reaction). Epinephrine increases heart rate, making the pupils bigger, making the blood vessels in the legs bigger, and weakens the immune system for a short time. Because of this, epinephrine is a common treatment for Anaphylaxis. Bad reactions to epinephrine include heart palpitations, tachycardia, anxiety, headache, tremor, hypertension, and acute pulmonary edema.
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Epinephrine