Etilefrina: Composition, Indications, Administration, Side Effects, Contraindications, Interactions and Warnings

It is a cardiac stimulant used as an anti-hypotensive.

It is a sympathomimetic amine of the 3-hydroxy-phenylethanolamine series used to treat orthostatic hypotension of neurological, cardiovascular, endocrine, or metabolic origin.

Intravenous infusion of this compound increases cardiac output, stroke volume, venous return, and blood pressure in men and experimental animals, suggesting the stimulation of the α and β adrenergic receptors.

In healthy individuals, intravenous ethylephrine increases pulse rate, cardiac output, stroke volume, central venous pressure, and mean arterial pressure. Peripheral vascular resistance decreases during the infusion of 1-8 mg of etilefrine but begins to increase at a higher dose.

The marked decreases in pulse rate, cardiac output, stroke volume, and peripheral blood flow, together with increases in mean arterial blood pressure, occur when etilefrine is infused after intravenous administration of 2.5 mg propranolol.

These findings indicate that etilefrin has both β1 and a1 adrenergic effects in man.

Composition

One ampoule of 1 ml (1%) contains 10 mg of ethylephrine hydrochloride. 1 ml of peroral solution contains 7.5 mg of ethylephrine hydrochloride.

 

Indications

It is indicated for hypotension, prevention of vascular collapse, abandonment syndrome, and vasomotor headache.

Dosage and administration

The injectable solution for adults is applied subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously in a dose of 10 mg (1 ml) every 1-3 hours, if necessary. It can also be applied as an intravenous drip infusion at 0.2-0.6 mg/min.

Children under two years of age: 2-4 mg subcutaneous or intramuscular, 0.05-0.2 mg/min as an intravenous infusion.

Children between 2 to 6 years of age: 4-7 mg subcutaneous or intramuscular, 0.1-0.4 mg/min as an intravenous infusion.

Children over six years of age: 7-10 mg subcutaneous or intramuscular, 0.2-0.5 mg/min as an intravenous infusion. In subcutaneous or intramuscular application, it is injected every 1-3 hours if necessary.

The peroral etilefrine solution is applied in the form of drops (the 1 ml solution contains 20 slides).

Adults: 5-10 (up to 20) drops, 3-6 times a day, children – 5-10 drops 3-5 times a day, infants – 2-5 drops, 2-3 times a day.

Side effects

Consult your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects, especially if they do not go away:

  • Temblor.
  • Insomnia .
  • Headache.
  • Anxiety.
  • Perspiration.
  • Nausea.
  • Tachycardia .
  • Palpitations
  • Increased blood pressure.
  • Extrasistolia ventricular.

Etilefrine can also cause other side effects not mentioned here.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the product, hypertension, thyrotoxicosispheochromocytomaglaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy with urinary retention, tachycardia, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic obstructive, valvular stenosis, the first trimester of pregnancy and lactation.

Interactions

Interactions are the effects that occur when the medication is taken with food or when taken with other medicines. Suppose that if you are taking ethylephrine medication, you may interact with specific foods and drugs. It will not interact with all foods and pharmaceuticals.

Interactions vary from one medication to another. You must know the interactions of the medication you take. Most medicines can interact with alcohol and tobacco, so be careful.

The action of etilefrine increases with its concomitant application with tricyclic antidepressants, amantadine, isoniazid, and theophylline. Lithium salts, beta-blockers, and quinidine reduce the activity of etilefrin.

Ethylephrine reduces the effect of guanidine, sulphaniluric antidiabetics, and metformin. The heart rate is altered with the simultaneous application of bretylium and etilefrina.

Synonyms and marks of etilefrina

  1. Adrenal.
  2. Adriano, Ethyl.
  3. Alpharma brand of ethylephrine hydrochloride.
  4. Apogepha brand of ethylephrine hydrochloride.
  5. Bioflutin.
  6. Boehringer Ingelheim brand of ethylephrine hydrochloride.
  7. Cardan.
  8. Circulon.
  9. Effort.
  10. Effort.
  11. Ethyl Adriano.
  12. Etiladrianol.
  13. Eti Puren.

Warnings

Warnings are a mixture of precautions. A diabetic or hypertensive patient should be warned about interactions with other medications. A patient with known hypersensitivity should be careful with reactions or anaphylactic shock.

A pregnant woman or a woman who breastfeeds should be warned of certain medications. A patient with hepatitis or a patient with heart problems should avoid some drugs associated with their condition.

Certain people who are sick, very old, or sensitive show a worsening of the side effect of the drug that can sometimes become dangerous. Therefore, it is essential to remember the precautions while taking the medication.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are also special categories in which more care or caution is needed when taking a medication.

Few patients may have a hypersensitivity reaction to a few medications, which can be life-threatening on rare occasions. Hypersensitivity to penicillin is an example.

Diarrhea and rashes are some other symptoms that need precautions. A patient with other coexisting diseases such as liver disease, heart disease, or kidney disease should take special precautions.