What is this medicine?
EPINEPHRINE (ep i NEF rin) helps open up air passages and makes breathing easier for people with mild asthma.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?
This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.
| EPINEPHrine HCl 1MG/ML Solution | HOSPIRA | 3/$13.99 or 6/$19.98 |
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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- breathing problems, wheezing
- chest pain or palpitations
- flushing (reddening of the skin)
- numbness in fingers or toes
- vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- anxiety or nervousness
- headache
- nausea
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for use in the nose. Follow the directions on the package label. Make sure that you are using your nasal spray correctly. If you are not sure how to use this medicine, as your doctor or pharmacist for instructions. Do not use more often than directed.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this medicine may be used in children as young as 4 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
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What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
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What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
- MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
- medicines for colds and breathing difficulties
- medicines for hay fever and other allergies
- procarbazine
- stimulant medicines for attention disorders, weight loss, or to stay awake
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
- caffeine
- medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
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Who should NOT use this medication?
- No absolute contraindications to use in life-threatening conditions.
- Relative contraindications include shock (other than anaphylactic shock), organic heart disease, coronary insufficiency, or cardiac dilatation, as well as use in most patients with angle-closure glaucoma, arrhythmias, organic brain damage, or cerebral arteriosclerosis. Contraindicated for use during general anesthesia with chloroform, trichloroethylene, or cyclopropane, and should be used cautiously, if at all, with other halogenated hydrocarbon anesthetics such as halothane.
- Contraindicated in conjunction with local anesthetics for use in fingers, toes, ears, nose, or genitalia.
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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Do not use this medicine unless your doctor has told you that you have asthma.
Check with your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better within 20 minutes of inhalation, or if they get worse. You should also contact your doctor or health care professional if you need to use this medicine more than 12 times in one day, use this medicine more than 9 times per day more than 3 days a week, or if you have more than 2 asthma attacks in one week.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without checking with your doctor or health care professional. Some products may contain ingredients that will increase the effects of your medicine.
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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:
- diabetes
- glaucoma
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- mental depression or illness
- over active thyroid
- prostate trouble
- seizures
- taken an MAOI like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate in last 14 days
- an unusual or allergic reaction to epinephrine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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Where can I get more information?
More Information
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