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epinephrine

epinephrine

21 5.7
A natural hormone and emergency medicine that raises heart rate and treats severe allergic reactions and cardiac arrest
  • noun
  • /ˌɛpɪˈnɛfrɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : adrenalina
  • The diagnosis was croup, and steroid and epinephrine treatment was started.
  • 1:100,000 epinephrine
  • 1:200,000 epinephrine
  • epinephrine solution

You don't want epinephrine, AKA adrenaline too high.

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Examples

  • The doctor administered epinephrine to the patient experiencing a severe allergic reaction.

  • We used the last of the epinephrine today on a jellyfish sting and we need to replace it.

  • Give him a shot of epinephrine!

  • I need some more epinephrine.

  • Give him a milligram of epinephrine.

  • The vasoconstrictive properties of epinephrine help improve visibility and therefore facilitate disease eradication.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Lactated Ringer's was infused wide open, and as per AHA guidelines, 1 mg of epinephrine was administered intravenously.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Initial management was supportive with intravenous hydrocortisone, nebulized adrenaline (epinephrine), and nebulized salbutamol (albuterol).

    Academic text (2009)
  • In an emergency, paramedics often use epinephrine to treat someone in cardiac arrest.

  • During the asthma attack, her doctor prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector to alleviate her symptoms.

Synonyms

adrenaline
vsepinephrine
  • UK
130 3.6

A hormone the body makes during stress that raises heart rate and energy and treats severe allergic reactions when injected

stresses wider effects on heart rate, blood pressure, muscle readiness, and cardiac arrest
adrenalin
vsepinephrine
  • Specialized
2 4.1

A chemical the body makes in danger or excitement that makes the heart beat faster and gives more energy

focuses more on its physiological effects and emergency medical uses
epinephrin
vsepinephrine
  • Specialized
7.0

A hormone the body makes when stressed that raises heart rate and blood pressure

emphasizes its medical use and muscle preparation rather than neurotransmitter aspects

Surface Forms

epinephrine singular
epinephrines plural

Morphology

epinephrine = epi + nephr + ine

The term is formed from Greek combining forms (epi- + nephr-) and the chemical suffix -ine, which are technical and not transparently meaningful to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word epinephrine comes from Greek parts epi- 'upon' and nephros 'kidney', because the hormone is made by glands that sit on top of the kidneys. You may know it as adrenaline, and that helps explain its meaning: it is the quick hormone that makes the body 'get ready' for action and can save lives in severe allergic reactions.