Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company’s epinephrine injection USP, 1 mg/mL (1 mL), in single-dose vials and 1 mg/mL (30 mL) multi-dose vials. This medicine is a critical therapy utilised by hospitals, emergency departments and other acute care facilities for patient care.

“Epinephrine is one of the most important and widely used emergency medicines in healthcare. By bringing both single- and multi-dose vial presentations to the institutional market, we are helping expand reliable and affordable access for hospitals and clinical providers, while reinforcing Amneal’s commitment to supplying essential medicines that support patient care across the US health system,” said Arash Dabestani, PharmD, Senior Vice President, Institutional.

Epinephrine is a non-selective alpha and beta adrenergic agonist. The 1 mg/mL formulation is indicated for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions (Type 1) including anaphylaxis, which may result from insect stings or bites, foods, drugs, sera, diagnostic testing substances and other allergens, as well as idiopathic anaphylaxis or exercise-induced anaphylaxis and to increase mean arterial blood pressure in adult patients with hypotension associated with septic shock.

The most common adverse reactions associated with systemically administered epinephrine include anxiety, apprehensiveness, restlessness, tremor, weakness, dizziness, sweating, palpitations, pallor, nausea and vomiting, headache, and respiratory difficulties. These symptoms occur in some persons receiving therapeutic doses of epinephrine but are more likely to occur in patients with heart disease, hypertension, or hyperthyroidism.