This article describes possible side effects of epinephrine injection. You can explore this overview article to learn more about epinephrine, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Epinephrine injection for severe allergies is a generic version of the brand-name drugs Adrenaclick, Adrenalin, Auvi-Q, EpiPen, and Symjepi. Epinephrine injection for septic shock that doctors give in a hospital is a generic version of the brand-name drug Adrenalin. Epinephrine also comes in a form that you’ll inhale, but this form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.
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More common side effects of epinephrine
Epinephrine injection may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of epinephrine injection include:
- anxiety
- dizziness
- feeling restless
- shakiness
- weakness
These side effects were reported in studies of epinephrine for injection into a muscle or under the skin and epinephrine for injection through a vein.
Mild side effects of epinephrine
Epinephrine may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of epinephrine injection that occurred in studies include:
- anxiety
- breathing problems
- dizziness
- fast heart rate
- feeling restless
- headache
- heart palpitations (feeling of fluttering or skipping heart beats)
- nausea or vomiting
- paleness
- shakiness
- sweating
- weakness
- mild allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of epinephrine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with epinephrine injection due to sulfites in the injection.
These side effects were reported in studies of epinephrine for injection into a muscle or under the skin and epinephrine for injection through a vein.
Epinephrine injection may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information for epinephrine for injection into a muscle or under the skin and epinephrine for injection through a vein.
Serious side effects of epinephrine
Epinephrine may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from epinephrine injection, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with epinephrine.
Serious side effects of epinephrine injection that occurred in studies include:
- fluid in the lungs
- heart problems, including abnormal heart rhythms
- kidney problems
- reduced blood flow or tissue damage around the injection site*
- serious infection at the injection site*
- very fast increases in blood pressure
- severe allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of epinephrine in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with epinephrine injection due to sulfites in the injection.
These side effects were reported in studies of epinephrine injection for injection into a muscle or under the skin and epinephrine for injection through a vein.
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Common questions about side effects of epinephrine
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of epinephrine injection. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How long do side effects of epinephrine usually last?
The side effects of epinephrine are usually short-lived. In most cases, they go away quickly. You can help ease the symptoms by resting, lying down, or reclining.
You can learn more about what to expect with epinephrine by talking with your doctor or pharmacist. If you have side effects that aren’t going away, tell your doctor right away.
Are the side effects the same in children and adults?
In studies on epinephrine for injection into a muscle or under the skin, both children and adults saw similar side effects after using epinephrine at the correct dose.
The dose of epinephrine is determined based on body weight. Patients who weigh between 33 and 66 pounds (lb) (15–30 kilograms [kg]) are given an epinephrine dose of 0.15 milligrams (mg), while patients who weigh more than 66 lb (30 kg) are given a higher dose of 0.3 mg. Therefore, smaller children get a lower dose of medication.
Does epinephrine cause long-term side effects?
Long-term side effects aren’t expected with epinephrine injection. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after treatment ended also weren’t reported.
This information comes from studies of epinephrine for injection into a muscle or under the skin and epinephrine for injection through a vein.
Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about possible long-term side effects with epinephrine.
Side effects of epinephrine in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of epinephrine injection.
Reduced blood flow or tissue damage around the injection site
In studies, reduced blood flow or tissue damage around the injection site was rare in people using epinephrine injection. This side effect may be serious.
This side effect was reported in studies of epinephrine for injection into a muscle or under the skin and epinephrine for injection through a vein.
This side effect can happen if epinephrine is injected incorrectly or if the drug leaks out of the vein into surrounding tissue. It can also happen if epinephrine is injected into the hands, fingers, feet, buttocks, or toes.
Symptoms may include cold or pale skin at the injection site.
Ways to manage
Get medical care right away if you accidentally inject epinephrine incorrectly or into anywhere other than the upper leg.
Serious infection at the injection site
In studies, serious skin infection at the injection site was rare in people using epinephrine injection. This side effect may be serious.
This side effect was reported in studies of epinephrine for injection into a muscle or under the skin and epinephrine for injection through a vein.
With epinephrine, you can develop infections at the site of injection. Infections may occur within a few days of injection. Some of these infections can be serious. Symptoms may include:
- pain or tenderness
- redness or discoloration that doesn’t go away or gets worse
- swelling
- warmth
Ways to manage
Talk with your doctor and get medical care right away if you have signs of an infection at the injection site.
For some people, epinephrine injection can cause an allergic reaction due to the sulfites in the injection.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to epinephrine injection, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for epinephrine
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before using epinephrine injection.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take epinephrine injection if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether epinephrine injection is a safe treatment option for you.
Before using epinephrine injection, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Epinephrine and pregnancy
It’s not known whether epinephrine injection should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.
Epinephrine and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether epinephrine injection should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.
Epinephrine injection is not known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with epinephrine injection.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of epinephrine injection. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my risk of side effects depend on the dosage I take?
- Are there additional side effects in children or older adults?
- What are the side effects of injecting too much epinephrine?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
