Etilefrine Hydrochloride

Registered South African indications:

• Hypotension

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients
• Pregnancy < 12 weeks
• Thyrotoxicosis
• Phaeochromocytoma
• Closed angle glaucoma
• Prostatic hypertrophy with urinary retention
• Hypertension
• Coronary heart failure
• Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Cautions

• Pregnancy > 12 weeks
• Breastfeeding
• Renal impairment
• Hepatic impairment
• Elderly
• Stenosis of heart valves or central arteries
• Tachycardia
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Severe cardiovascular disorders

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: inj

Correction of hypotension in
- Circulatory failure
- During anaesthesia
- Post-operatively

• SC/IM/IV: 30-60mg, dly

Paed. forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: inj

Correction of hypotension in
- Circulatory failure
- During anaesthesia
- Post-operatively

Younger than 1 year

• SC/IM/IV: 5-10mg, dly

Between 1-4 years

• SC/IM/IV: 10-15mg, dly

Between 4-8 years

• SC/IM/IV: 10-20mg, dly

Between 8-13 years

• SC/IM/IV: 15-30mg, dly

Older than 13 years

• See adult dosage

Pregnancy

• FDA Pregnancy Category Not Rated (NR)

Breastfeeding

• Caution; not recommended

Renal Impairment

• Caution; no information available

Hepatic Impairment

• Caution; no information available

Elderly

• Caution; no information available

Porphyria Information

• Probably not porphyrinogenic (PNP)

Drugs in Sport

• Prohibited - In competition

  
  

Central Nervous System Disorders

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Tremor
• Sensation of pressure in the head 

Cardiovascular Disorders

• Palpitations
• Tachycardia
• Anginal pain
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Unwanted increase in blood pressure

Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Nausea

Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

• Sweating

• Guanethidine
• Mineralocorticoids
• Sympathomimetics
• Agents with sympathomimetic activity
• Halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons
• Alpha blockers
• Beta blockers

None routine

Etilefrine hydrochloride has a mild stimulating effect on peripheral alpha adrenoceptors, a mild stimulating effect of beta-2 adrenoceptors, and a prominent effect on beta-1 adrenoceptors. The pharmacologically action on adrenoceptors results in an increase in venous return, increase in stroke volume and cardiac output, unchanged heart rate, slight drop in peripheral arterial resistance, relaxation in precapillary sphincters and increase in transcapillary flow. By the same token, the circulation time is shortened. The combination of the above cardiovascular actions causes improved tissue perfusion.

injection (per ml) 10mg

• Effortil (Sanofi Aventis) originator