Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Adrenalin
What ADRENALIN is used for:
ADRENALIN is used to:
- start the heart again in cardiac arrest.
- provide rapid relief of severe allergic reactions and respiratory distress due to asthma.
- help local and spinal anaesthetics (used to block pain and feeling) last longer.
- to treat simple (open-angle) glaucoma, a condition that causes increased pressure in the eye.
- treat congestion caused by hay fever and inflammation of the tissues inside the nose and sinuses.
- relieve the symptoms of allergic reactions such as; serum sickness (rash, joint pain, fever), urticaria (skin reaction causing welts) and angioedema (swelling of the skin and mucous membranes).
- relax the uterus and stop it from contracting.
- stop bleeding.
How ADRENALIN works:
ADRENALIN contains the medicinal ingredient epinephrine. It works by acting on certain receptors in the body to narrow blood vessels, relax the muscles in the lungs and airways and stop severe allergic reactions.
The ingredients in ADRENALIN are:
Medicinal ingredient: epinephrine (as epinephrine hydrochloride)
Non-medicinal ingredients: Hydrochloric acid, sodium bisulfate or metabisulfite, sodium chloride and water for injection. The vials also contain chlorobutanol as a preservative.
ADRENALIN comes in the following dosage form:
Solution for injection: 1 mg / mL, 30 mg /30 mL
Do not use ADRENALIN if:
- you are allergic to epinephrine or to any of the non-medicinal ingredients in ADRENALIN (see The ingredients in ADRENALIN are:).
- you have narrow-angle glaucoma, a condition that causes increased pressure in the eye.
- you have organic brain damage.
- you are using local anesthetics in certain parts of the body like the fingers or toes, due to the risk of cutting off blood flow and damaging tissue.
- you are in labor, as it may slow down the birthing process.
- you have a history of certain heart problems, such as an enlarged heart or poor blood flow to your heart muscle.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take ADRENALIN. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have heart disease or poor blood flow to the heart as ADRENALIN may cause chest pain (angina).
- have heart disease cause by long-term breathing problems such as; asthma or emphysema.
are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Other warnings you should know about:
- If too much ADRENALIN is given, or if it is accidentally injected into a vein, it can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure, which may lead to bleeding in the brain.
- ADRENALIN contains sodium bisulfite as a non-medicinal ingredient which can cause allergy‑like reactions. Epinephrine, the medicinal ingredient in ADRENALIN, is still the best treatment for a severe allergic reaction.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with ADRENALIN:
- Antihistamines, used to treat allergies, such as diphenhydramine, tripelennamine, d-chlorpheniramine.
- Sodium L-thyroxine, used to treat thyroid problems.
- Tricyclic antidepressants, used to treat depression.
How to take ADRENALIN:
- ADRENALIN will be given to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital or a clinic setting.
- It will be injected either into a muscle, vein, the heart or around the spine; or under the skin.
Usual dose:
Your healthcare professional will determine the dose that is right for you based on your condition.
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much ADRENALIN, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms. |
|---|
Possible side effects from using ADRENALIN:
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking ADRENALIN. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- headache
- fear, anxiety
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom | Talk to your healthcare professional | Get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| Unknown | |||
| Heart Palpitations (fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart): skipping beats, beating too fast, pounding, fluttering rapidly | √ | ||
| Injection Site Reactions: loss of sensation, swelling, discolored skin (pale, blue or black) | √ | ||
| Epinephrine-Fastness: your body stops responding to ADRENALIN so it may not work as well as before (in patients repeatedly treating with epinephrine) | √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Protect from light and freezing. Store at room temperature between 15°C - 30°C.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about ADRENALIN:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes the Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database); the manufacturer’s website www.searchlightpharma.com; or by calling 1-800-667-4708.
Date of Authorization: 2026-09-17