title: Alpha adrenergic blockers and adrenaline. A mysterious collapse.
abstract: In 1995 I encountered a problem with the use of adrenaline in the resuscitation of a patient on prazosin who had an anaphylactic collapse resulting from a bee sting. I concluded that the problem was the result of the 'reversed adrenaline effect' and I predicted that other drugs with alpha adrenergic receptor blocking activity such as the phenothiazines could similarly obstruct the action of adrenaline. A literature review of the reversed adrenaline effect revealed a number of animals studies but no articles relating to humans. I present this case study as another example of drugs with alpha adrenergic receptor blocking activity (thioridazine and amitriptyline) obstructing the action of adrenaline in anaphylactic collapse.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000494:pharmacology; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000494:pharmacology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000075202:Contraindications; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013881:Thioridazine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000639:Amitriptyline; D013881:Thioridazine; D004837:Epinephrine