Adrenaline (epinephrine)
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you being given ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about being given this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
What ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection is used for
ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection is usually only given in cases of extreme emergency.
ASPEN ADRENALINE may be used following a heart attack, or to make the heart beat if it has stopped.
ASPEN ADRENALINE is also used in the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions to insect bites or stings, medicines, foods or other substances. It may also be given during acute asthma attacks for severe breathing difficulties.
In heart conditions it can help to restart the heart and stimulates it to bet more strongly.
ASPEN ADRENALINE opens up the airways making it easier to breathe.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is not addictive.
It is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
This medicine is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
Before you are given it
When you must not be given it
You must not be given ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection if you have an allergy to:
- any medicine containing adrenaline (epinephrine)
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
You should not use ASPEN ADRENALINE if you are in childbirth labour. It can stop the contractions in the uterus.
You must not be given this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If it has expired or is damaged return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should be given this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
- heart or blood vessel disease
- glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
- brain damage
- stroke
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- lung disease
- angina or chest pain
- overactive thyroid gland
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you are given ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection may interfere with each other. These include:
- blood pressure medicines
- medicines for your heart
- general anaesthetics
- diuretics
- corticosteroids
- diabetes medicines
These medicines may be affected by adrenaline (epinephrine) or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while being treated with this medicine.
How it is given
How much is given
Your doctor will decide what dose you will receive. This depends on your condition and other factors, such as your weight.
How it is given
ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection is normally given by a doctor or nurse. The injection will usually be given just under the skin, however, it can also be given into the muscle or straight into the vein or heart.
ASPEN ADRENALINE should not be given into the buttocks.
If you receive too much (overdose)
The doctor or nurse giving you ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection will be experience in its use, so it is extremely unlikely that you will be given too much.
However, if you experience any side effects after being given ASPEN ADRENALINE injections, tell your doctor or nurse immediately.
If you have to give ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection, make sure you give it exactly as directed. This will make it unlikely that too much will be given.
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre for advice – the telephone number in Australia is 13 11 26 and in New Zealand is 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766 – or go the Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have used too much ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
Symptoms of overdose may include feeling unwell, flushing or abnormal heart beats, and headaches.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being treated with ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection.
This medicine helps most people with either a heart problem or suffering an allergic reaction, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. It is usually only given in life-threatening circumstances.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- fear or anxiety
- tension
- restlessness
- headache
- tremor
- weakness
- dizziness
- abnormal heart beat or palpitations.
The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually mild and short-lived.
Tell your doctor or nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
- difficulty in breathing
- whiteness, swelling, pain or loss of feeling at the site of injection.
These side effects are serious and may need urgent medical attention.
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
Do not be alarmed by this list of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Product description
What it looks like
ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection is a clear colourless solution.
Storage
ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward. It should be kept in a cool dry place, protected from light where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Ingredients
ASPEN ADRENALINE Injection contains 1 mg/mL or 1 mg/10mL of adrenaline (epinephrine) as the active ingredient.
It also contains:
- tartaric acid
- sodium metabisulfite
- sodium chloride
- water for injections.
The 1 mg/mL ampoule [adrenaline (epinephrine) 1:1,000] is available in packs of 5.
The 1 mg/10 mL ampoule [adrenaline (epinephrine) 1:10,000] is available in packs of 10.
This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Sponsor
Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd
34-36 Chandos St
St Leonards NSW 2065
Australia
Australian Registration Numbers:
1 mg/mL: AUST R 131782
1 mg/10 mL: AUST R 162463
This leaflet was prepared in October 2017.
Published by MIMS December 2017
