What is a potential adverse effect of epinephrine besides tachycardia?

• A. Hypertension, anxiety, tremors.
• B. Hypotension.
• C. Bradycardia.
• D. Nausea only.

Answer: (A)

When a drug like epinephrine is given, its adrenergic activity can cause multiple sympathetic adverse effects beyond tachycardia. Epinephrine stimulates alpha-1 receptors on vascular smooth muscle, leading to vasoconstriction and increased systemic vascular resistance, which raises blood pressure—hypertension. At the same time, its stimulation of beta receptors and central nervous system pathways can produce anxiety and fine tremors as part of the sympathetic “fight-or-flight” response. This combination—hypertension, anxiety, and tremors—reflects the broader range of sympathetic effects epinephrine can cause aside from increasing heart rate. While nausea can occur with many drugs, and hypotension or bradycardia are not typical opposite effects for epinephrine, the highlighted trio captures the common adverse profile beyond tachycardia.