Atropine vs. Adrenalin

Are Atropine and Adrenalin the Same Thing?

AtropineSulfate Injection andAdrenalin(epinephrine) can both increase heart rate but are used for different conditions.

Atropine sulfate is an antimuscarinic agent used to treatbradycardia(low heart rate), reduce salivation and bronchial secretions before surgery, as anantidotefor overdose of cholinergic drugs or mushroompoisoning.

Adrenalin is a chemical that narrows blood vessels and opens airways in thelungs. These effects can reverse severelow blood pressure,wheezing, severe skin itching, hives, and other symptoms of an allergic reaction. An injection of adrenalin is used to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to insect stings or bites, foods, drugs, and other allergens.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Atropine?

Common side effects of Atropine include:

  • dry mouth,
  • blurred vision,
  • sensitivity to light,
  • lack of sweating,
  • dizziness,
  • nausea,
  • loss of balance,
  • hypersensitivity reactions (such as skin rash), and
  • rapid heartbeat (心动过速).

Excess doses of atropine sulfate may cause side effects such aspalpitations, dilated pupils, difficulty swallowing, hot dry skin, thirst, dizziness, restlessness,tremor, fatigue, and problems with coordination.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Adrenalin?

Common side effects of Adrenalin include:

  • anxiety,
  • nervousness,
  • headache,
  • fear,
  • palpitations,
  • sweating,
  • nausea and vomiting,
  • pale skin,
  • shortness of breath,
  • dizziness,
  • weakness, or
  • tremors.

Before using Adrenalin a second time, tell your doctor if your first injection caused serious side effects such as increased breathing difficulty, or dangerouslyhigh blood pressure(severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats,seizure).

What Is Atropine?

Atropine Sulfate Injection is an antimuscarinic agent used to treat bradycardia (low heart rate), reduce salivation and bronchial secretions before surgery, as an antidote for overdose of cholinergic drugs or mushroom poisoning.

What Is Adrenalin?

Adrenalin (epinephrine) is a chemical that narrows blood vessels and opens airways in the lungs. These effects can reverse severe low blood pressure, wheezing, severe skin itching, hives, and other symptoms of an allergic reaction. An injection of adrenalin is used to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to insect stings or bites, foods, drugs, and other allergens.

What Drugs Interact With Atropine?

Atropine Sulfate may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

What Drugs Interact With Adrenalin?

肾上腺素可能与digoxin,diuretics(water pills),levothyroxine,chlorpheniramineordiphenhydramine(antihistaminescommonly contained in cold,allergy, or over-the-counter sleep medications),antidepressants, beta-blockers,ergotmedicines, heart rhythm medications, or MAO inhibitors. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using Adrenalin. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

How Should Atropine Be Taken?

最初的单剂of Atropine Sulfate in adults vary from 0.5 mg to 1 mg (5 - 10 mL of the 0.1 mg/mL solution) for antisialagogue and other antivagal effects, to 2 to 3 mg (20 - 30 mL of the 0.1 mg/mL solution) as an antidote for organophosporous or muscarinic mushroom poisoning.

How Should Adrenalin Be Taken?

Adrenalin is available in many different injectable forms including auto-injector systems that can be carried by those who areproneto serious allergic reactions. The dose for adults and children 30 kg (66 lbs) or more is 0.3 to 0.5 mg (0.3 mL to 0.5 mL) of undiluted Adrenalin administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously in the anterolateral aspect of the thigh, up to a maximum of 0.5 mg (0.5 mL) per injection, repeated every 5 to 10 minutes as necessary.

Disclaimer

All drug information provided on RxList.com is sourced directly from drug monographs published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Any drug information published on RxList.com regarding general drug information, drug side effects, drug usage, dosage, and more are sourced from the original drug documentation found in its FDA drug monograph.

Drug information found in the drug comparisons published on RxList.com is primarily sourced from the FDA drug information. The drug comparison information found in this article does not contain any data from clinical trials with human participants or animals performed by any of the drug manufacturers comparing the drugs.

The drug comparisons information provided does not cover every potential use, warning, drug interaction, side effect, or adverse or allergic reaction. RxList.com assumes no responsibility for any healthcare administered to a person based on the information found on this site.

As drug information can and will change at any time, RxList.com makes every effort to update its drug information. Due to the time-sensitive nature of drug information, RxList.com makes no guarantees that the information provided is the most current.

Any missing drug warnings or information does not in any way guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or the lack of adverse effects of any drug. The drug information provided is intended for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

If you have specific questions regarding a drug’s safety, side effects, usage, warnings, etc., you should contact your doctor or pharmacist, or refer to the individual drug monograph details found on the FDA.gov or RxList.com websites for more information.

You may also report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting the FDA MedWatch website or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

FDA. Atropine Product Information.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/021146s015lbl.pdf
FDA. Epinephrine Product Information.
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/204200s000lbl.pdf

Health SolutionsFrom Our Sponsors