epinephrine

noun epi·neph·rine \ ˌe-pə-ˈne-frən \

variants: or less commonly epinephrin

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Definition of epinephrine

: a crystalline sympathomimetic hormone C₉H₁₃NO₃ that is the principal blood-pressure raising hormone secreted by the medulla of the adrenal glands, is prepared from adrenal extracts or made synthetically, and is used medicinally especially to stimulate the heart during cardiac arrest and to treat life-threatening allergic reactions — called also adrenaline

See epinephrine defined for kids

Recent Examples of epinephrine from the Web

Fatal reactions are more likely to occur if epinephrine is needed but not given right away.

— hillary gordon, md, Philly.com, "ER visits rising for kids with allergies," 30 Apr. 2018
Along with the Narcan, our deputies also carry epinephrine.

— gary gibula, Naperville Sun, "Specialty court for first-time opioid offenders planned in DuPage as 'crisis reaches beyond what many people realize'," 22 May 2018
The emergency medical kit should also contain aspirin, dextrose for diabetics, epinephrine for allergic reactions and nitroglycerine for heart problems.

— bart jansen, USA TODAY, "'She stepped into her coffin': Relatives of passenger who died on flight sue American Airlines," 27 Apr. 2018
The first line of treatment for anaphylaxis is a medicine called epinephrine.

— gary kleiner, m.d., ph.d., miamiherald, "Children’s food allergies can be minor — or life threatening | Miami Herald," 27 Mar. 2018
Among the medicines that could be affected are insulin, epinephrine, heparin, antibiotics, antidepressants, tranquilizers, and vaccines, according to the list released by the U.S. trade representative.

— ed silverman, STAT, "Will the Trump tariffs on China raise drug prices for Americans?," 4 Apr. 2018
In transit to the hospital, the woman was given a double dose of epinephrine, infusions of saline solution, corticosteroids and antihistamines.

— susan scutti, CNN, "Live bee sting acupuncture is deadly for Madrid woman," 22 Mar. 2018
Chest pain, spasms, and elevated levels of the stress hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine are a few of the potential reactions.

— blake bakkila, Health.com, "7 Things You Need to Know to Survive a Breakup," 9 Feb. 2018
Many states have mandated epinephrine autoinjectors in schools and have peanut-free zones.

— Philly.com, "Food allergy bullying is real, and can be dangerous, pediatrician writes," 12 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'epinephrine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of epinephrine

International Scientific Vocabulary epi- + Greek nephros kidney — more at nephritis

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1899

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

EPINEPHRINE Defined for Kids

epinephrine

noun ep·i·neph·rine \ ˌe-pə-ˈne-frən \

Definition of epinephrine for Students

: a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow and the blood pressure to increase

Medical Dictionary

epinephrine

noun epi·neph·rine

variants: also epinephrin play \ˌep-ə-ˈnef-rən\

medical Definition of epinephrine

: a colorless crystalline feebly basic sympathomimetic hormone C₉H₁₃NO₃ that is the principal blood-pressure-raising hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla, is prepared from adrenal extracts or made synthetically, and is used medicinally especially as a heart stimulant, as a vasoconstrictor (as to treat open-angle glaucoma and life-threatening allergic reactions and to prolong the effects of local anesthetics), and as a bronchodilator — called also adrenaline