Have you or someone in your family ever experienced sudden shortness of breath, chest tightness, and a "whoosh.. whoosh.." wheezing sound? This is a very common and uncomfortable experience for someone with a condition like asthma. Today, we are going to talk about a treatment that is used in times like these and provides quick relief. That is the drug epinephrine, which is administered through a nebulizer.
What is this medicine called Epinephrine?
Simply put, epinephrine is a medicine used to treat conditions that cause difficulty breathing in the lungs. Especially in diseases like asthma, the narrowing of the airways (bronchi) that carry air to our lungs occurs. In medical terms, we call this `(Bronchospasm)`.
Imagine that when a water pipe gets stuck in the middle, it becomes difficult for the water to flow through. When these airways are blocked, it becomes very difficult for us to breathe. What epinephrine does is widen and open these narrowed and narrowed airways. It's like releasing a blocked tube. Then air can easily enter and exit the lungs, and breathing becomes easier again.
This medicine may sometimes be available on the market under other names. An example is `(Adrenalin)`. But the active ingredient is the same.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before taking any medication, it is important to tell your doctor your complete medical history. Because one medication can affect another. Before taking epinephrine, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions.
| Your health condition | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | Epinephrine can increase blood sugar levels. |
| Glaucoma | There is a possibility of increasing eye pressure. |
| Heart disease | It can increase heart rate and blood pressure, which can put extra strain on the heart. |
| High blood pressure | This medicine can further increase blood pressure. |
| Parkinson's disease | Symptoms, especially tremors, may increase. |
| Thyroid disease | Symptoms may worsen if the thyroid gland is overactive. |
| Other allergies | If you have allergies to epinephrine, other medications, foods, or preservatives. |
| If you are pregnant or expecting a baby | It is essential to consult a doctor about the use of medication during pregnancy. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | You should talk to your doctor about the possibility of the medicine passing to your baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
This medicine is used with a device called a nebulizer . This turns the medicine, which is in liquid form, into a fine mist (aerosol) that you can breathe in. You then inhale this mist into your lungs, either through your mouth or through a mask that covers your mouth and nose.
Most importantly: Always follow your doctor's or the medication label's instructions exactly . Do not take more often or in higher doses than prescribed.
This medicine is given to young children, especially those over 4 years of age, in some special cases. But it is done very carefully under medical supervision.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Remember, this medicine is prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Some medications can interact when taken together. This means that the effectiveness of one medication may be increased, decreased, or cause unwanted side effects. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (prescribed, over-the-counter, herbal, and even vitamins).
Especially do not take epinephrine with the following medications:
- Some types of gases used to induce sleep during surgery (`(General anesthetics)`)
The following medications may also interact with epinephrine:
- Some medicines for allergies, coughs, and colds (`(Antihistamines)`)
- Medications for blood pressure, heart disease, and heart rhythm disorders
- Some medications for depression or anxiety
- Some medications for Parkinson's disease
- Digoxin
- Diuretics (medicines that remove water from the body)
- Thyroxine `(Levothyroxine)`
- MAOI-type antidepressants
- Steroid-type medications (e.g. prednisone)
- Some stimulant medications
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take. Also, tell him if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to be careful about when using the medicine
See your doctor regularly to monitor your symptoms. If your symptoms get worse, or you need to use this medicine more often than usual, call your doctor right away . This may mean that your asthma is not under control and your treatment may need to be changed.
Work with your doctor to create an "Asthma Action Plan" that is specific to you. Be clear about what to do when your symptoms are mild (Yellow Zone) and what to do in an emergency (Red Zone).
What are the expected side effects?
Like any medicine, epinephrine can cause side effects. Some of them are serious, some are common.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Symptoms of a heart attack | Tightness or pain in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, difficulty breathing, cold sweats, fainting. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, chest pain. |
| Increased blood pressure | Severe headaches, vision changes. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Anxiety, restlessness | Headache |
| Dizziness | Feeling of rapid heartbeat |
| Nausea or vomiting | Tremor |
| Sweating | Pale skin |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, ask your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- An epinephrine nebulizer is a medication that opens up blocked airways and makes breathing easier in conditions like asthma.
- Always follow the dosage and instructions prescribed by your doctor exactly . Never use more than the prescribed amount.
- It is essential to inform your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (such as diabetes, heart disease) and all other medications you are taking.
- If you experience a serious side effect such as chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, or severe allergic reaction, go to an emergency room (ETU) immediately.
- If your symptoms get worse or you need to use the medicine more often, it means your condition is not being properly controlled. See your doctor immediately.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න