Epinephrine: Medication Error

Abstract

Epinephrine plays an integral role in the treatment of several life treating diseases. It can be administered at different doses and through different routes ofadministration. Nebulized L-epinephrine has been described as a safe treatment method. There is a significant difference in doses between nebulization andparenteral administration of epinephrine. Medication errors can result in death due to the use of high-dose epinephrine with parenteral administration. Herewe report a child patient who was accidentally exposed to an approximately 30-fold higher dose of intravenous epinephrine. However, the patient did notdevelop permanent damage. Medication errors are common in pediatric inpatients, and efforts to reduce them are needed.