Severe epinephrine-propranolol interaction

Ann Emerg Med. 1989 Jan;18(1):98-9. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(89)80324-5.

Abstract

A 53-year-old man presented to the emergency department with posterior pharyngeal edema. He had taken a long-acting propranolol product the previous evening that had been prescribed for migraine headaches. After administration of epinephrine subcutaneously in the ED, he developed a severe adverse reaction, characterized by profound hypertension and bradycardia. This potentially serious drug interaction is described, and relevant literature is reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bradycardia / chemically induced
  • Drug Interactions
  • Edema / drug therapy*
  • Epinephrine / adverse effects*
  • Epinephrine / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pharyngeal Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Propranolol / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Propranolol
  • Epinephrine