d. Cautions and Contraindications. This drug is contraindicated for persons
with glaucoma.
e. How Supplied. The drug is supplied as 15-mg tablets and as sterile
propantheline bromide in 30-mg vials, which must be diluted for intramuscular or
intravenous injection, according to the manufacturer's instructions.
4-5.
HOMATROPINE HYDROCHLORIDE OPHTHALMIC OINTMENT
Homatropine hydrochloride ophthalmic ointment paralyzes visual
accommodation for ophthalmological procedures. Recovery from this effect is complete
in one day. It must be used with care in persons disposed to glaucoma.
Section III. ADRENERGIC (SYMPATHOMIMETIC) DRUGS
4-6.
INTRODUCTION
The sympathomimetic drugs stimulate the structures innervated by the
sympathetic (adrenergic) nerves and produce effects similar to those caused by
stimulation of these nerves. The basic compound to which sympathomimetic, or
"sympathetic-mimicking," drugs are generally compared is epinephrine. Other drugs in
this class have actions similar to epinephrine. For this reason, epinephrine will be
discussed first and the other drugs compared to it. (The amphetamines, which also are
sympathomimetics, are used primarily as CNS stimulants and are, therefore, discussed
in the section on CNS stimulants.)
4-7.
EPINEPHRINE
The most important actions of epinephrine (Adrenalin) are on the heart and
blood vessels.
a. Actions. Epinephrine is not effective orally, as it is destroyed in the stomach
before it can be absorbed. When injected or inhaled, the actions of epinephrine
include:
(1) Acceleration of the heart and increase in cardiac output. The cardiac
rhythm is altered.
(2) Constriction of blood vessels in some areas and dilation in others. The
vessels in the skin and in the mucosa are constricted after local application of the drug,
while those of the skeletal muscles are dilated by injection.
(3) Relaxation of the bronchial musculature and the muscles of the GI tract
and urinary bladder.
MD0913
4-6