Which of the following is a commonly reported side effect of epinephrine?

• A. Tachycardia, nervousness, restlessness, headaches
• B. Hypotension
• C. Nausea only
• D. Drowsiness

Answer: (C)

Epinephrine triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response by stimulating adrenergic receptors, which commonly produces a cluster of sympathetic symptoms. The most typical and frequently reported effects are a faster heart rate (tachycardia), feelings of nervousness or anxiety, restlessness, and headaches. These arise because epinephrine increases cardiac output and vascular tone, and it can cause central nervous system arousal, leading to those sensations.

Nausea can occur with epinephrine, but it’s not the hallmark combination of symptoms you’re most likely to see. Hypotension isn’t expected because epinephrine raises blood pressure through vasoconstriction and increased cardiac work, and drowsiness is not aligned with its stimulant, arousing effects. So the group of tachycardia, nervousness, restlessness, and headaches best represents the commonly reported side effects.