epinephrine

noun

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

Some of these monoamines are neurotransmitters including serotonin, epinephrine, and dopamine. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Can You Really Have a Serial Killer Gene like Betty on "Riverdale"?," 9 May 2019 In severe cases, you may be treated with epinephrine (a medication that can reverse anaphylaxis) and then possibly a steroid (like cortisone) to reduce inflammation and get the reaction under control, FARE says. — Korin Miller, SELF, "4 Signs You Might Be Allergic to Sugar," 24 Dec. 2018 Fifteen years ago, about 300 students had orders for epinephrine devices for allergic reactions, for example, and last year that number hit about 13,000. — Leslie Brody, WSJ, "Nursing Shortage Leaves Some City Schools Uncovered," 15 Dec. 2018 So why is there an EpiPen and generic epinephrine shortage all of a sudden? — Sy Mukherjee, Fortune, "What You Need to Know About the EpiPen Shortage the FDA Just Declared," 9 May 2018 When your blood sugar falls, the hormones cortisol and epinephrine are released in an attempt to raise it back to normal. — Julia Naftulin, Health.com, "It's Not in Your Head: Feeling Hangry Is a Very Real Thing," 27 Sep. 2017 But, according to an announcement from the FDA this week, the epinephrine auto-injectors used in severe allergic reactions are actually totally fine to use for a few months after their expiration date. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "FDA Extends EpiPen Expiration Date in the Midst of a Shortage," 23 Aug. 2018 EpiPen autoinjectors allow the patient or a caretaker to administer a dose of epinephrine in case of a severe allergic reaction, such as to bee stings or exposure to peanuts. — Fox News, "FDA extends EpiPen expiry date to combat shortage," 21 Aug. 2018 Mylan’s life-saving epinephrine auto-injector EpiPen now has a generic rival, the Food and Drug Administration triumphantly announced. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Years after Mylan’s epic EpiPen price hikes, it finally gets a generic rival," 17 Aug. 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.

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Last Updated

18 May 2019

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The first known use of epinephrine was in 1899

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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