Atropine vs. Adrenalin

• Are Atropine and Adrenalin the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Atropine?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Adrenalin?
• What Is Atropine?
• What Is Adrenalin?
• What Drugs Interact with Atropine?
• What Drugs Interact with Adrenalin?
• How Should Atropine Be Taken?
• How Should Adrenalin Be Taken?

Atropine Sulfate Injection and Adrenalin (epinephrine) can both increase heart rate but are used for different conditions.

Atropine sulfate 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.

Adrenalin 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.

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 (tachycardia).

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

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 dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

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.

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.

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

Adrenalin may interact with digoxin, diuretics (water pills), levothyroxine, chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine (antihistamines commonly contained in cold, allergy, or over-the-counter sleep medications), antidepressants, beta-blockers, ergot medicines, 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.

Initial single doses 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.

Adrenalin is available in many different injectable forms including auto-injector systems that can be carried by those who are prone to 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.