Differences Between Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
Posted October 4, 2022 by Anusha ‐ 1 min read
Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is both a neurotransmitter and a hormone. It plays an important role in your body’s `fight-or-flight` response. It’s also used as a medication to treat many life-threatening conditions.
Difference between Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
| Condition | Epinephrine (adrenaline) | Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) |
|---|---|---|
| Neurotransmitter (NT) | Yes | Yes, it’s the most common NT of your sympathetic nervous system; mainly works as an NT |
| Hormone | Yes, mainly works as a hormone | Yes |
| Part of fight-or-flight response | Yes | Yes |
| Made in/released from | Mainly in and from the adrenal glands | Mainly in and from the nerves |
| Made from | Norepinephrine | Dopamine |
| Works on/action | Acts on almost all body tissues | Mainly works to increase or maintain blood pressure |
| When released into bloodstream | During times of stress | Continuously |
| Common use in medicine | Severe asthma, anaphylaxis, low blood pressure from severe conditions | Emergency low blood pressure conditions |