epinephrine

epi·neph·rine | \ ˌe-pə-ˈne-frən

variants: or less commonly epinephrin

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

Examples of epinephrine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Earlier this month, two health care workers experienced anaphylactic reactions after receiving the Pfizer vaccine, and had to use auto-injectors to inject themselves with epinephrine (known popularly in the U.S. by the brand name EpiPen). — Chronicle Advice Team, SFChronicle.com, "Allergic reactions to the coronavirus vaccine: Should I be concerned?," 23 Dec. 2020 Anaphylaxis can be quickly reversed with epinephrine and other medicines. — Joel Achenbach, Anchorage Daily News, "US health authorities launch study on rare allergic reactions to coronavirus vaccine," 21 Dec. 2020 Any facility qualified to administer vaccines is equipped with emergency epinephrine (known to many as an EpiPen) in the event of severe reactions. — NBC News, "Alaska health care worker had severe allergic reaction to Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine," 16 Dec. 2020 Otani said epinephrine is the only medication that can reverse severe allergic reaction symptoms. — Chronicle Advice Team, SFChronicle.com, "Allergic reactions to the coronavirus vaccine: Should I be concerned?," 23 Dec. 2020 In the first round of shots of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, a limited number of recipients have had severe allergic reactions, requiring treatment with epinephrine. — Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, "10 of the most common concerns about the Covid-19 vaccines," 19 Dec. 2020 She was taken to the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital emergency department and treated with epinephrine before being discharged six hours later. — Morgan Krakow, Anchorage Daily News, "3rd Alaska health care worker experiences adverse reaction to COVID-19 vaccine," 18 Dec. 2020 Everyone else should be watched for 15 minutes -- and immunization providers should have medical supplies, such as epinephrine that can counteract allergic reactions, on hand. — oregonlive, "COVID-19 vaccines are in Oregon and more are on the way. What you need to know: Q&A," 18 Dec. 2020 Treviño grabbed three syringes of epinephrine and emptied them into the man’s IV to jump-start his heart. — Los Angeles Times, "For a nurse in the COVID unit, death is part of the day," 20 Dec. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

7 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Epinephrine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epinephrine. Accessed 21 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for epinephrine

epinephrine

noun

ep·i·neph·rine | \ ˌe-pə-ˈne-frən

Kids Definition of epinephrine

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

epinephrine

noun

epi·neph·rine

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

Medical Definition of epinephrine

: a colorless crystalline 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 to stimulate the heart during cardiac arrest and to treat life-threatening allergic reactions

— called also adrenaline