Isoprenaline (Also Known As Isoproterenol)
Pronunciation: (eye-so-PREN-uh-leen / eye-so-proe-TER-en-ol).
- Generic name
- Isoprenaline (also known as Isoproterenol)
- Brand names
- Isoprenaline Hydrochloride, Isoprel, Isotril, Isuprel, Isoprenaline Injection, Isolin
- Drug class
- Sympathomimetic (Non-selective beta-adrenergic agonist)
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: India
Australia: · Full directory
What Isoprenaline (also known as Isoproterenol) is and how it works
Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.
Mechanism of action: how Isoprenaline (also known as Isoproterenol) works
Isoprenaline is a non-selective beta-adrenergic agonist. It stimulates both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors, leading to increased heart rate (positive chronotropy), increased force of cardiac contraction (positive inotropy), and relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle. Beta-1 effects predominate in the heart, while beta-2 effects cause vasodilation and bronchodilation. (2)
What Isoprenaline (also known as Isoproterenol) is used for
Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
Recovered from the clinician database description (a data-recovery fix — the automated extractor had left this field empty even though the description text names it). (2)
Heart block
Recovered from the clinician database description (a data-recovery fix). (2)
Emergency treatment of asthma or bronchospasm when other treatments are not effective (not a first-line or routine treatment)
Recovered from the clinician database description (a data-recovery fix). (2)
Before taking Isoprenaline (also known as Isoproterenol)
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Contraindicated in patients with tachyarrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation, digitalis-induced tachycardia, or hypersensitivity to isoprenaline. (Contraindication) (2)
Tell your clinician about
(2)How to take Isoprenaline (also known as Isoproterenol)
- General Instructions: Isoprenaline is usually administered by a healthcare professional in a hospital. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Do not self-administer unless specifically trained.. Adult Dosing: Typical IV infusion for bradycardia or heart block: 0.01–0.2 mcg/kg/min, titrated to effect (a weight-based critical-care convention). The FDA label for the branded US product expresses adult dosing as a flat, non-weight-based bolus (0.02-0.06 mg initial dose; 0.01-0.2 mg for subsequent doses) or an infusion starting at 5 mcg/min, titrated to response — both conventions are used in practice; the treating team will use the convention appropriate to the setting.. Pediatric Dosing: Children: 0.05–0.1 mcg/kg/min IV infusion, titrated to effect. Always use under specialist supervision. IMPORTANT: in children with refractory asthma, IV isoprenaline infusions at rates of 0.05-2.7 mcg/kg/min have been linked to clinical deterioration, myocardial necrosis, heart failure, and death — this use requires continuous vital-sign monitoring and frequent ECG in a specialist setting.. Administration: Administered intravenously (IV) as a continuous infusion or slow injection. In rare cases, may be given intramuscularly or subcutaneously.. When To Stop: Seek medical advice promptly if you develop severe side effects or signs of an allergic reaction; let the clinician managing your care advise on whether to continue or stop the infusion.. Storage: Store injection vials at room temperature (20–25°C/68–77°F), protected from light. Do not freeze. Discard unused solution after opening.
- This page does not provide a dose calculator. Dosing must follow the prescriber, pharmacist, or product label.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (2)
Missed dose
If you miss a dose in a hospital setting, inform your healthcare provider immediately. For home use (rare), take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take an extra dose to catch up.
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose may include severe tachycardia, arrhythmias, hypertension, chest pain, or cardiac arrest. Seek emergency medical attention immediately. Supportive care and monitoring are essential; there is no specific antidote. (2)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional.
Palpitations
Incidence: Recovered from the clinician-authored database description (a data-recovery fix); frequency not established
Headache
Incidence: Recovered from the clinician-authored database description (a data-recovery fix); frequency not established
Flushing
Incidence: Recovered from the clinician-authored database description (a data-recovery fix); frequency not established
Tachycardia and arrhythmias
Incidence: Recovered from the clinician-authored database warnings text (a data-recovery fix); frequency not established
Chest pain, severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing
What to notice: Chest pain, severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing during or after isoprenaline administration.
What to do: Report immediately to the clinician or care team monitoring the infusion.
Serious warnings
ADDED FROM FDA LABEL — serious
Symptoms: ADDED FROM FDA LABEL: in children with refractory asthma, IV isoprenaline infusions at rates of 0.05-2.7 mcg/kg/min have caused clinical deterioration, myocardial necrosis, congestive heart failure, and death. Continuous vital-sign monitoring and frequent ECG are required whenever isoprenaline is used in this setting.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
May cause serious arrhythmias or worsen existing heart conditions — serious
Symptoms: May cause serious arrhythmias or worsen existing heart conditions. Use with caution in patients with coronary artery disease or hypertension. Monitor blood pressure and heart rate closely during therapy. May interact with other medications, especially beta-blockers and MAO inhibitors; isoprenaline should not be given at the same time as epinephrine, as the combined effect may cause serious arrhythmias. Not recommended for routine use in asthma due to risk of cardiac side effects.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Contraindications recorded in the clinician database — serious
Symptoms: Contraindications recorded in the clinician database: Contraindicated in patients with tachyarrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation, digitalis-induced tachycardia, angina pectoris, or hypersensitivity to isoprenaline. Use with caution in patients with ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and elderly patients due to increased risk of adverse cardiac events.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded interactions | Isoprenaline may interact with beta-blockers (which can reduce its effectiveness), MAO inhibitors (which may increase risk of side effects), tricyclic antidepressants, and other sympathomimetic agents. Use caution with digitalis glycosides due to increased risk of arrhythmias. Always inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking. | |
| Epinephrine (ADDED) | Isoprenaline should not be given at the same time as epinephrine — the combined sympathomimetic effect may induce serious arrhythmias. | (2) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
Use only if clearly needed, with the prescriber weighing potential benefit against potential risk — no specific pregnancy category is stated on the FDA label reviewed for this record. (2)
Breastfeeding
It is not known whether isoprenaline is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in breast milk, caution is advised, and this is a decision to make with the clinician managing your or your baby's care. (2)
Children
Frequency: Not established; safety not established in children.. Weight Based: Not established; safety and efficacy not determined in pediatric patients.. Max Daily Dose: Not established; safety not established in children.. Max Single Dose: Not established; safety not established in children.. Age Restrictions: Not recommended for pediatric use. See the serious warning above regarding IV use in children with refractory asthma. (2)
Renal_impairment
Both the clinician-authored record and the FDA label for isoprenaline (Isuprel) reviewed for this page are silent on renal- and hepatic-impairment dose adjustment; no specific guidance or adjusted dose is given. Because isoprenaline is used as a titrated continuous IV infusion in a monitored critical-care setting, organ-impairment status should be factored into titration by the treating clinician rather than a fixed adjustment. (2)
Hepatic_impairment
Both the clinician-authored record and the FDA label for isoprenaline (Isuprel) reviewed for this page are silent on renal- and hepatic-impairment dose adjustment; no specific guidance or adjusted dose is given. Because isoprenaline is used as a titrated continuous IV infusion in a monitored critical-care setting, organ-impairment status should be factored into titration by the treating clinician rather than a fixed adjustment. (2)
Monitoring
(2)Storage
Store injection vials at room temperature (20-25°C/68-77°F), protected from light, in opaque/light-protected containers. Do not freeze. Discard unused solution after opening.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace current product labeling.
General
Indication: Bradycardia / heart block
Dose summary: Weight-based critical-care convention (clinician database): initial IV dose 0.02-0.1 mcg/kg/min, titrated to effect. FDA-labeled flat-dose convention (US branded product): bolus 0.02-0.06 mg initially (0.01-0.2 mg for subsequent doses), or infusion starting at 5 mcg/min, titrated to response. Both conventions are used in practice.
Renal context: Neither the clinician-authored record nor the FDA label reviewed for this page gives renal-impairment dosing guidance for isoprenaline. No specific dose adjustment is stated; because it is given as a titrated IV infusion under continuous monitoring, renal status should be factored into titration by the treating clinician. (2)
Hepatic guidance
Neither the clinician-authored record nor the FDA label reviewed for this page gives hepatic-impairment dosing guidance for isoprenaline. No specific dose adjustment is stated; hepatic status should be factored into titration by the treating clinician.
Frequently asked questions
What is Isoprenaline (Isoproterenol) used for?
Isoprenaline is used to treat bradycardia (slow heart rate), heart block, and sometimes for emergency treatment of asthma or bronchospasm when other therapies are not effective.
How does Isoprenaline work?
It stimulates beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart and lungs, increasing heart rate and relaxing airway muscles.
What are the most common side effects?
Common side effects include palpitations, headache, flushing, mild tremor, and nervousness.
Can I use Isoprenaline at home?
Isoprenaline is usually administered in a hospital setting. Home use is rare and should only be done under strict medical supervision.
Is Isoprenaline safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not well established. Use only if clearly needed and prescribed by your doctor.
What should I do if I experience chest pain or severe palpitations?
Tell the clinician or care team monitoring you immediately, as these may be signs of a serious reaction; they will assess whether the infusion should continue or stop.
Are there any foods or drugs I should avoid while taking Isoprenaline?
Avoid stimulants (like caffeine), other sympathomimetics, and always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What happens if I take too much Isoprenaline (Isoproterenol)?
Taking too much Isoprenaline can lead to severe symptoms such as exaggerated cardiovascular effects, including extreme tachycardia, arrhythmias, and hypotension. Other signs may include tremors, headache, and nausea. If you suspect an overdose, seek immediate emergency medical attention. Do not attempt to self-treat or wait for symptoms to worsen.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Isoprenaline (Isoproterenol)?
It is generally advisable to avoid or limit alcohol consumption while taking Isoprenaline. Alcohol can exacerbate some of the cardiovascular side effects associated with sympathomimetic drugs, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure fluctuations. This combination may heighten the risk of adverse reactions and compromise the therapeutic benefits of the medication. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Is Isoprenaline (Isoproterenol) safe during pregnancy?
Isoprenaline's safety during pregnancy is not definitively established, and it falls under a pregnancy category that requires careful consideration. The decision to use Isoprenaline during pregnancy should be made only after a thorough evaluation of potential risks and benefits by a healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor to discuss the implications and alternative treatments if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
What is the mechanism of action of Isoprenaline (also known as Isoproterenol)?
Isoprenaline is a non-selective beta-adrenergic agonist. It stimulates both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors, leading to increased heart rate (positive chronotropy), increased force of cardiac contraction (positive inotropy), and relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle. Beta-1 effects predominate in the heart, while beta-2 effects cause vasodilation and bronchodilation. (2)
What is the generic name of Isoprenaline (Also Known As Isoproterenol)?
The generic name is Isoprenaline (also known as Isoproterenol). It is sold under brand names including Isoprenaline Hydrochloride, Isoprel, Isotril, Isuprel, Isoprenaline Injection, Isolin.
What class of drug is Isoprenaline (also known as Isoproterenol)?
Isoprenaline (Also Known As Isoproterenol) is classed as: Sympathomimetic (Non-selective beta-adrenergic agonist).
References
- Isoprenaline (Isoproterenol) – Medicine RecordMedGuideGlobal · Global (internal clinician-authored record) · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 1
- ISUPREL (isoproterenol hydrochloride) injection, solutionU.S. Food and Drug Administration (DailyMed) · United States · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 2
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient Isoprenaline (also known as Isoproterenol) names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
India
- Isolin2 mg per 1 mL ampoule · Samarth Life Sciences Pvt Ltd