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Epipen Research Paper

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There is no doubt that the study of chemistry has changed the world dramatically. Under the right circumstances, many advances in the realm of chemistry can save lives. The EpiPen® has been a wonderful chemical developed tool, aiding in potentially lethal allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis. It is important to understand what an EpiPen® is, and how it works to one day save a life if necessary. What will further be discussed is what an EpiPen® is, how it is made, used, and how it works chemically in the human body.

The EpiPen® is an auto-injecting pen made with epinephrine. Epinephrine commonly known as adrenaline, is a chemical compound with the formula C9H13NO3. Epinephrine is a sympathomimetic hormone, meaning a hormone that produces physiological effects in the body from the sympathetic nervous system.2 Epinephrine, or adrenaline is naturally produced in the adrenal medulla. Upon its release in the body, causes vasoconstriction or the shrinking of blood vessels, stimulates the heart, and opens up the bronchi in the lungs. Epinephrine is a compound classified as a Catecholamine. A Catecholamine is a monoamine, an organic compound with a catechol and a side …show more content…

With just a very quick exposure to an allergen, anaphylaxis can occur immediately. Allergens can be anything from dust, food products such as peanuts, shellfish, nuts, and even insects and sting like bees and wasp stings. Life threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis include dizziness, unconsciousness, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and fast heart beat. The most serious threat to the human life during anaphylaxis is the lack of oxygen, O2. With lack of O2 the brain begins to lose brain cells. The brain is in control of all the systems in the body as more time passes without O2 organs begin to fail and the heart also stops beating.4 Other symptoms of swelling of the mouth, coughing, hives on the body, vomiting, and

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