Ephedrine

Overview
Ephedrine is a plant alkaloid. Ephedrine is now made synthetically. Ephedrine is a mixed action
adrenergic agent. It occurs in various plants and has been used in china for over 2000 years. It was
introduced in western medicine approximately 70 years ago as the first orally active
sympathomimetics drug. Because Ephedrine is a noncatechol phenylisopropylamine. It has high
bilavailibilty and long duration of action. Clinically Ephedrine is utilized when a prolonged duration of
action is desired, particularly after oral administration. The main applications are as a nasal
decongestant and as a pressor agent.

Categories
 12 Cardiovascular drugs
o 12.8 Other cardiovascular preparations

 25 Drugs acting on the respiratory tract

o 25.1 Anti-asthmatic drugs
 25.1.1 Oral/Parenteral antiasthmatics

 25 Drugs acting on the respiratory tract

o 25.2 Antitussives
 25.2.1 Cold preparations

 25 Drugs acting on the respiratory tract

o 25.4 Nasal preparations

Page headings
OverviewPrimary CharactersticsIndicationsPharmacokineticsContraindicationsDrug InteractionsSide
EffectsDosageHigh Risk GroupsWarning / PrecautionsStorage ConditionsInterference in
PathologyBrands of EphedrineManufacturers of Ephedrine

Primary Characterstics

Ephedrine is also known as Ephedrium, Ephedrium, Ephedrium, Ephedrium. Eedrynum hidratum,

Eedrynum hidratum are the derivatives of EphedrineEphedrine is also known as Ephedrium,
Ephedrium, Ephedrium, Ephedrium. Eedrynum hidratum, Eedrynum hidratum are the derivatives of
Ephedrine It is of Natural/Synthetic origin and belongs to Ephedra Alkaloid. It belongs to Alpha &
Beta adrenergic agonist pharmacological group on the basis of mechanism of action and also
classified in Drugs used in Shock and Alpha-Beta Blocker pharmacological group.The Molecular
Weight of Ephedrine is 201.70.
It is weakly acidic drug, 3.20% solution of the drug is isotonic and Its pKa is 9.6.

Indications
Ephedrine is primarily indicated in conditions like Bronchial asthma, Diabetic neuropathic
edema, Hypotension, Narcolepsy, Nasal congestion, Nocturnal enuresis, Reduction of neutropenia-
related risk of infection, Reversible airways obstruction, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy
as an alternative drug of choice in CNS stimulation, Myasthenia gravis, Stokes-adams attack.
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Pharmacokinetics
Oral absorption of Ephedrine is found to be 75% ±25. Volume of distribution is found to be 122-320
litre . and metabolism is reported hepatic. Renal Excretion accounts for > 95% and plasma half life is
3-11 hr.
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Contraindications
Ephedrine is contraindicated in conditions like Hypertension, Thyrotoxicosis, Ischaemic heart
disease, Prostatic hypertrophy.
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Drug Interactions
Ephedrine is known to interact with other drugs, the details of drug interactions is as follows:

Severity N/A
Acetazolamide (Na)AdrenalineDexamethasoneDoxepin (HCl)AlcoholNoradrenaline (Acid
Tartrate)PhenobarbitoneHyoscine (Butylbromide)IsocarboxazidLevodopaRauwolfia
ReserpineSodium BicarbonateTrimipramine (Maleate)MoclobemideSelegiline
(HCl)ReserpineQuinagolide
(HCl)SibutramineDexamethasoneQuinidineHalothaneOxytocinAlbuterolNitroglycerinOxprenolol

Major
Tranylcypromine (Sulphate)ProcarbazineFurazolidone

Minor
Maprotiline (HCl)Theophylline
 Moderate
DoxapramPhenylpropanolamine (HCl)Ergometrine (Maleate)Ergotamine (Tartrate)Sodium Acetate

These interactions are sometimes beneficial and sometimes may pose threats to life. Always consult
your physician for the change of dose regimen or an alternative drug of choice that may strictly be
required.

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Side Effects
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Ephedrine, which give rise to further complications
include Psychosis, Cardiopathy.
Ephedrine produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Acute cardiovascular
stimulation, Central Stimulation. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Ephedrine therapy.
The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Ephedrine include
Nausea, Vomiting, Tachycardia, Convulsions, Coma, Respiratory depression, Fever, Palpitations,
Respiratory depression, Hypertension, Paranoid psychosis, Respiratory depression.
The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Ephedrine are more or less tolerable and if they
become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Headache, Anxiety,
Restlessness, Tachycardia, Tremors, Insomnia, Nasal congestion, Local irritation.
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Dosage
Ephedrine's dosage details are as follows:
Dose Single Dose Frequency Route Instructions

Adult Dosage
25 to 50 mg 38 (37.5) As recommended. IM,SC
25 to 50 mg 38 (37.5) As recommended. IM,SC,Slow IV
5 to 25 mg 15 (15) As recommended. IV Repeated 5 to 10 minutes
0.5 to 1 % 0.75 (0.75) As recommended. Nasal drops for the treatment of nasal congestion.
25 to 50 mg 38 (37.5) 4 hourly PO

Paedriatic Dosage (20kg)

0.5 to 1 % 0.75 (0.75) As recommended. Nasal As Required
1.5 mg/kg 1.5 (1.5) 8 hourly Oral -
Neonatal Dosage (3kg)
0.5 to 1 % 0.75 (0.75) As recommended. Nasal As required
0.93 mg/kg 0.93 (0.93) 8 hourly Oral

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Paediatrics, Pregnant Mothers, Geriatrics, and Neonates.

If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should
reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.
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Warning / Precautions
Ephedrine should be used with caution in patients of heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, angina
pectoris, renal impairment, diabetes, hypertension. Avoid intraneural and intravascular injection.

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Storage Conditions
Elixir, Nasal Spray
Store in a well closed container, Below 40°C. Do not Freeze. Protect from Sunlight.

Tab, Inj, Caps

Store in a well closed container, Below 40°C. Protect from Sunlight.
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Interference in Pathology
No data regarding the pathological interferences produced by Ephedrine is available.
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Brands / Trade Names of Ephedrine

Click on the desired strength of the dosage form to view its available brands.

Single Ingredient
Tabs: 30 mg,
Multi ingredient
Syrup: 4 mg/5ml, 5 mg/5ml, 6 mg/5ml, 7 mg/5ml, 8 mg/5ml, 10 mg/5ml, 15 mg/5ml, 70 mg/5ml, 7.2
mg/5ml, 7.5 mg/5ml, 6.25 mg/5ml,
Oint: 0.25 %w/w,
Nasal Spray: 5 mg/ml,
Tabs: 2 mg, 15 mg, 24 mg, 25 mg,