What is Ephedrine?
Ephedrine is used for temporary relief of shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing due to bronchial asthma. Ephedrine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Ephedrine is a decongestant and bronchodilator. It works by reducing swelling and constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages and widening the lung airways, allowing you to breathe more easily.
Ephedrine indications
Nasal
Nasal congestion
Adult: As 1% soln: Instill 1-2 drops into each nostril up to 4 times daily as needed.
Child: >12 yr Same as adult dose.
Elderly: Same as adult dose.
Oral
Acute bronchospasm
Adult: As Ephedrine HCl: 15-60 mg tid. As Ephedrine sulfate: 12.5-25 mg 4 hrly. Max: 150 mg/day.
Child: As Ephedrine HCl: 1-5 yr 15 mg tid; 6-12 yr 30 mg tid; >12 yr Same as adult dose. As Ephedrine sulfate: ≥12 yr Same as adult dose.
Elderly: Initial: 50% of adult dose.
Parenteral
Reversal of spinal or epidural anaesthesia-induced hypotension
Adult: As Ephedrine HCl: 3-6 mg by slow IV inj every 3-4 min as required. Max total dose: 30 mg. As Ephedrine sulfate: 25-50 mg (range: 10-50 mg) by SC or IM inj or 5-25 mg by IV inj, may be repeated according to patient's response. Max: 150 mg/day.
Child: 0.5 mg/kg or 16.7 mg/m2 4-6 hrly by SC or IM inj or alternatively, 0.75 mg/kg or 25 mg/m2 4 times daily by SC or IV inj.
Elderly: Same as adult dose.
Parenteral
Acute bronchospasm
Adult: As Ephedrine sulfate: 12.5-25 mg by SC, IM or IV inj, further dosage may be given according to patient's response.
How should I use Ephedrine?
Use Ephedrine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Ephedrine is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Ephedrine at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
- If Ephedrine contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
- Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.
- Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
- If you miss a dose of Ephedrine, contact your doctor right away.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Ephedrine.
Uses of Ephedrine in details
Use: Labeled Indications
Hypotension, anesthesia-induced: Treatment of anesthesia-induced hypotension
Note: The use of Ephedrine for the treatment of acute bronchospasm, Stokes-Adams syndrome (ie, presyncope/syncope) with complete heart block, narcolepsy, depression, or myasthenia gravis has fallen out of favor given the availability of more effective agents for these conditions.
Off Label Uses
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (prevention)
Data from two randomized controlled studies suggests that patients given post-operative Ephedrine had lower postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) scores early in the post-operative period without significant hemodynamic changes.
Ephedrine description
An alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonist that may also enhance release of norepinephrine. It has been used in the treatment of several disorders including asthma, heart failure, rhinitis, and urinary incontinence, and for its central nervous system stimulatory effects in the treatment of narcolepsy and depression. It has become less extensively used with the advent of more selective agonists. [PubChem]
Ephedrine dosage
General Dosage And Administration Instructions
Ephedrine (Ephedrine sulfate injection) must be diluted before administration as an intravenous bolus to achieve the desired concentration. Dilute with normal saline or 5% dextrose in water.
Inspect parenteral drug products visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
Dosing For The Treatment Of Clinically Important Hypotension In The Setting of Anesthesia
The recommended dosages for the treatment of clinically important hypotension in the setting of anesthesia is an initial dose of 5 to 10 mg administered by intravenous bolus. Administer additional boluses as needed, not to exceed a total dosage of 50 mg.
- Adjust dosage according to the blood pressure goal (i.e., titrate to effect).
Prepare A 5 mg/mL Solution For Bolus
Intravenous Administration
For bolus intravenous administration, prepare a solution containing a final concentration of 5 mg/mL of Ephedrine (Ephedrine sulfate injection):
- Withdraw 50 mg (1 mL of 50 mg/mL) of Ephedrine (Ephedrine sulfate injection) and dilute with 9 mL of 5% Dextrose Injection or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection.
- Withdraw an appropriate dose of the 5 mg/mL solution prior to bolus intravenous administration.
How supplied
Dosage Forms And Strengths
Ephedrine (Ephedrine sulfate injection) is available as a single-dose 1 mL vial that contains 50 mg/mL Ephedrine sulfate, equivalent to 38 mg Ephedrine base.
Storage And Handling
Ephedrine (Ephedrine sulfate injection), 50 mg/mL, is supplied as follows:
| NDC | Strength | How Supplied |
| 76014-005-25 | 50 mg/mL | 1 mL clear glass vial; for single use (supplied in packages of 25) |
Vial stoppers are not manufactured with natural rubber latex. Store Ephedrine (Ephedrine sulfate injection), 50 mg/mL, at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Store in carton until time of use. For single use only. Discard unused portion.
Manufactured for:
Ephedrine interactions
| Interactions that Augment the Pressor Effect | |
| Oxytocin and oxytocic dirugs | |
| Clinical Impact: | Serious postpartum hypertension has been described in patients who received both a vasopressor (i.e., methoxamine, phenylephrine, Ephedrine) and an oxytocic (i.e., methylergonovine, ergonovine). Some of these patients experienced a stroke. |
| Intervention: | Carefully monitor the blood pressure of individuals who have received both Ephedrine and an oxytocic. |
| Clonidine, propofol, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), atropine | |
| Clinical Impact: | These drugs augment the pressor effect of Ephedrine. |
| Intervention: | Carefully monitor the blood pressure of individuals who have received both Ephedrine and any of these drugs. |
| Interactions that Antagonize the Pressor Effect | |
| Clinical Impact: | These drugs antagonize the pressor effect of Ephedrine. |
| Intervention: | Carefully monitor the blood pressure of individuals who have received both Ephedrine and any of these drugs. |
| Examples: | a-adrenergic antagonists, P-adrenergic receptor antagonists, reserpine, quinidine, mephentermine |
| Other Drug Interactions | |
| Guanethidine | |
| Clinical Impact: | Ephedrine may inhibit the neuron blockage produced by guanethidine, resulting in loss of antihypertensive effectiveness. |
| Intervention: | Clinician should monitor patient for blood pressor response and adjust the dosage or choice of pressor accordingly. |
| Rocuronium | |
| Clinical Impact: | Ephedrine may reduce the onset time of neuromuscular blockade when used for intubation with rocuronium if administered simultaneously with anesthetic induction. |
| Intervention: | Be aware of this potential interaction. No treatment or other interventions are needed. |
| Epidural anesthesia | |
| Clinical Impact: | Ephedrine may decrease the efficacy of epidural blockade by hastening the regression of sensory analgesia. |
| Intervention: | Monitor and treat the patient according to clinical practice. |
| Theophylline | |
| Clinical Impact: | Concomitant use of Ephedrine may increase the frequency of nausea, nervousness, and insomnia. |
| Intervention: | Monitor patient for worsening symptoms and manage symptoms according to clinical practice. |
| Cardiac glycosides | |
| Clinical Impact: | Giving Ephedrine with a cardiac glycoside, such as digitalis, may increase the possibility of arrhythmias. |
| Intervention: | Carefully monitor patients on cardiac glycosides who are also administered Ephedrine. |
Ephedrine side effects
See also:
What are the possible side effects of Ephedrine?
With large doses of Ephedrine sulfate most patients will experience nervousness, insomnia, vertigo, headache, tachycardia, palpitation and sweating. Some patients have nausea, vomiting and anorexia. Vesical sphincter spasm may occur and result in difficult and painful urination. Urinary retention may develop in males with prostatism.
Precordial pain and cardiac arrhythmias may occur following administration of Ephedrine Sulfate Injection, USP.
Drug Abuse And Dependence
Prolonged abuse of Ephedrine Sulfate Injection, USP can lead to symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia. When this occurs, patients exhibit such physical signs as tachycardia, poor nutrition and hygiene, fever, cold sweat and dilated pupils.
Some measure of tolerance may develop with prolonged or excessive use but addiction does not occur. Temporary cessation of medication and subsequent readministration restores its effectiveness.
Ephedrine contraindications
See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Ephedrine?
Ephedrine is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to sympathomimetic amines and in patients with angle closure glaucoma. It should not be used in patients anesthetized with agents such as cyclopropane or halothane as these agents may sensitize the heart to the arrhythmic action of sympathomimetic drugs.
Ephedrine should not ordinarily be used in those cases where vasopressor drugs may be contraindicated, e.g., in thyrotoxicosis, diabetes, in obstetrics when maternal blood pressure is in excess of 130/80 and in hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders.
Active ingredient matches for Ephedrine:
Ephedrine
| Unit description / dosage (Manufacturer) | Price, USD |
| Tablet; Oral; Ephedrine Hydrochloride 30 mg | |
| Tablet; Oral; Ephedrine Hydrochloride 25 mg | |
| Capsule; Oral; Ephedrine Sulfate 25 mg | |
| Injectable; Injection; Ephedrine Hydrochloride 3 mg / ml | |
| Injectable; Injection; Ephedrine Hydrochloride 30 mg / ml | |
| Injectable; Injection; Ephedrine Sulfate 30 mg / ml | |
| Injectable; Injection; Ephedrine Sulfate 50 mg / ml | |
| Tablet; Oral; Ephedrine Hydrochloride 8 mg | |
| Tablet; Oral; Ephedrine Hydrochloride Racemic 8 mg | |
| Capsule; Oral; Ephedrine Racemic / Ephedrine Hydrochloride 25 mg | |
| Tablet; Oral; Ephedrine Racemic / Ephedrine Hydrochloride 8 mg | |
| Tablet; Oral; Ephedrine Racemic / Ephedrine Hydrochloride 25 mg | |
| Capsule; Oral; Ephedrine Hydrochloride 8 mg | |
| Tablet; Oral; L-Ephedrine Hydrochloride 15 mg | |
| Tablet; Oral; L-Ephedrine Hydrochloride 30 mg | |
| Tablet; Oral; Ephedrine Hydrochloride 15 mg | |
| Ephedrine sulfate 250 mg/5 ml | $ 7.82 |
| Ephedrine-ns 50 mg/5 ml syr | $ 2.91 |
| Ephedrine-ns 100 mg/10 ml syr | $ 2.07 |
| Ephedrine su 50 mg/ml vial | $ 1.75 |
| Ephedrine 50 mg/ml ampul | $ 0.76 |
| Ephedrine powder | $ 0.47 |
| Ephedrine sulfate powder | $ 0.46 |
| Ephedrine su 25 mg capsule | $ 0.30 |
| Ephedrine injection, solution 10 mg/mL (Cantrell Drug Company (US)) | |
| Ephedrine injection, solution 50 mg/mL (Hospira, Inc. (US)) | |
List of Ephedrine substitutes (brand and generic names): | |
| Ephedrin Streuli 50mg/ml (Switzerland) | |
| Ephedrine 0.5% (Cyprus) | |
| Ephedrine 0.5% Thornton & Ross (Cyprus) | |
| Ephedrine 1% (Cyprus) | |
| Ephedrine 1% Thornton & Ross (Cyprus) | |
| Ephédrine Aguettant (France) | |
| Ephedrine Aguettant 30 mg/1 mL x 10 tube x 1 mL | |
| Ephedrine Aguettant (Malta, Tunisia) | |
| Ephedrine Aguettant 30 mg/1 mL x 10 tube x 1 mL | |
| Éphédrine Aguettant (France) | |
| Ephedrine Aguettant 30 mg/1 mL x 10 tube x 1 mL | |
| Ephédrine Arrow (France) | |
| Éphédrine Arrow (France) | |
| Ephedrine Beacons (Singapore) | |
| Ephedrine Beacons 0.5 % x 10 mL x 1's | |
| Ephedrine Capsules | |
| Ephedrine Capsules and Tablets | |
| Ephedrine Capsules/Tablets | |
| Ephedrine Cid (Egypt) | |
| Ephedrine HCL (Greece, Taiwan) | |
| Ephedrine HCl / VPP 25 mg x 1000's | |
| Ephedrine HCl / Central 25 mg x 1000's | |
| Ephedrine HCl / F.Y. 25 mg x 42's | |
| Ephedrine HCl / F.Y. 25 mg x 84's | |
| Ephedrine HCl capsule 25 mg (Kaizen Inc. (Canada)) | |
| Ephedrine HCl tablet 8 mg (Kaizen Inc. (Canada)) | |
| Ephedrine HCl Aguettant (Belgium) | |
| Ephedrine HCl Berlico (Indonesia) | |
| Ephedrine HCl Berlico 25 mg x 1000's | $ 20.89 |
| Ephedrine HCl Sterop (Belgium) | |
| Ephedrine Hydrochloride 10% (Japan) | |
| Ephedrine Hydrochloride 10% Maruishi (Japan) | |
| Ephedrine Hydrochloride 3% (Cyprus) | |
| Ephedrine Hydrochloride 3% Macarthys (Cyprus) | |
| Ephedrine Hydrochloride Aguettant (United Kingdom) | |
| Ephedrine Hydrochloride Martindale (Malta, United Kingdom) | |
| Ephedrine Hydrochloride Maruishi (Japan) | |
| Ephedrine Hydrochloride Max Health (New Zealand) | |
| Ephedrine Hydrochloride Mylan (Japan) | |
| Ephedrine Hydrochloride MYX (Australia) | |
| Ephedrine Hydrochloride Sanwa (Japan) | |
| Ephedrine Hydrochloride Sumio (Japan) | |
| Ephedrine Hydrochloride Wockhardt (United Kingdom) | |
| Ephedrine III | |
| Powder; Oral; Ephedrine Hydrochloride 8 mg / 15 g | |
| Ephédrine Renaudin (France) | |
| Éphédrine Renaudin (France) | |
See 723 substitutes for Ephedrine | |
References
- DailyMed. "EPINEPHRINE: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
- DailyMed. "EPHEDRINE SULFATE: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
- PubChem. "Ephedrine". https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/com... (accessed September 17, 2018).
Reviews
The results of a survey conducted on ndrugs.com for Ephedrine are given in detail below. The results of the survey conducted are based on the impressions and views of the website users and consumers taking Ephedrine. We implore you to kindly base your medical condition or therapeutic choices on the result or test conducted by a physician or licensed medical practitioners.User reports
Consumer reported useful
No survey data has been collected yetConsumer reported price estimates
No survey data has been collected yetConsumer reported time for results
No survey data has been collected yet1 consumer reported age
| Users | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| > 60 | 1 | 100.0% | |
Consumer reviews
There are no reviews yet. Be the first to write one! |
Information checked by Dr. Sachin Kumar, MD Pharmacology
