Overdose
Adrenaline is rapidly inactivated in the body and treatment following overdose is primarily supportive. Overdose of adrenaline may cause elevated arterial pressure, pulmonary oedema and cardiac arrhythmias. If necessary pressor effects may be counteracted by rapidly acting vasodilators or alpha-adrenergic blocking drugs.
If an adrenaline overdose induces pulmonary oedema that interferes with respiration, treatment consists of a rapidly acting alpha-adrenergic blocking drug such as phentolamine and/or intermittent positive-pressure respiration.
Adrenaline overdose can also cause transient bradycardia followed by tachycardia, and these may be accompanied by potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Treatment of arrhythmias may consist of administration of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs.
Overdose sometimes results in extreme pallor and coldness of the skin, metabolic acidosis and kidney failure. Suitable corrective measures must be taken in such situations.