What is oral ephedrine?
- Ephedrine directly stimulates alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors and
increases the release of norepinephrine. - Its actions include relaxation of
bronchioles, increased heart rate and contractility, and increased blood
pressure. - It also causes blood vessels in the nasal passages to shrink
(vasoconstrict). Vasoconstriction reduces nasal congestion by preventing fluid
from draining from blood vessels into the lining of the nasal passages. - Ephedrine is also a central nervous system stimulant used illegally for weight
loss and for performance enhancement diet supplements.
Is oral ephedrine available as a generic drug?
Yes
Do I need a prescription for oral ephedrine?
No
Why is oral ephedrine prescribed to patients?
- Dietary supplement for weight loss
- Bronchospasm due to
- Nasal congestion
What are the side effects of oral ephedrine?
Common side effects include:
Possible serious side effects include:
What is the dosage for oral ephedrine?
- A dose of 12.5 to 25 mg orally every 4 hours, not to exceed 150 mg in 24 hour
has be used for treating bronchospasm. - The dose for treating nasal congestion in adults is 25 to 50 mg every 6
hours.
Which drugs or supplements interact with oral ephedrine?
- Ephedrine should not be combined with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Combining MAOIs with ephedrine can cause an acute hypertensive episode. Examples
of MAOIs include rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Zelapar),
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate)
What else should I know about oral ephedrine?
What preparations of oral ephedrine are available?
- Tablet
How should I keep oral ephedrine stored?
- Ephedrine tablets should be stored at room temperature.
Is oral ephedrine safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
- Ephedrine has not been adequately studied in
pregnant women or in women who
are breastfeeding.