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 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 is contraindicated in conditions like Hypertension, Thyrotoxicosis, Ischemic heart disease, Prostatic hypertrophy.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist longer than one hours or become worse: Dizziness; headache; nausea; nervousness; tremor; loss of appetite; restlessness; sleeplessness; stomach irritation. Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur: Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty urinating. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur.

Ephedrine should be used with caution in patients of heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris, renal impairment, diabetes, hypertension. Carefully monitor BP, Co-administration of a vasopressor and an oxytocic cause serious postpartum hypertension, some patients experienced a stroke. Avoid intraneural and intravascular injection.

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.

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)) As recommended. IM,SC,Slow IV — 25 to 50 mg (38 (37.5)) 4 hourly PO —

0.5 to 1 % (0.75 (0.75)) As recommended. Nasal — As Required 1.5 mg/kg (1.5 (1.5)) 8 hourly Oral — -

0.5 to 1 % (0.75 (0.75)) As recommended. Nasal — As required 0.93 mg/kg (0.93 (0.93)) 8 hourly Oral —

Ephedrine is known to interact with other drugs, the details of drug interactions is as follows:DrugDetailsSeverityOnsetManagementAcetazolamide (Na)AdrenalineAlbuterolShould not use concurrently without doctors prescription.AlcoholDexamethasoneEphedrine increase urinary excretion of DexamethasoneDexamethasoneDoxapramBoth drugs acts additively.Ephedrine exacerbate the adrenergic response to doxapram thus increases the blood pressure and heart rate.ModerateClosely monitor pulse and blood pressureDoxepin (HCl)Ergometrine (Maleate)Both agents acts additively and synergistically to produce vasoconstriction results in increased blood pressure.ModerateConcomitant use is considered contraindicated. Closely monitor for response and tolerance of patient. Ergotamine (Tartrate)Ergotamine significantly increases the blood pressure by synergistic vasoconstriction due to alpha adrenergic agonist activity of ephedrine.ModerateClinical monitoring of response, tolerence and excessive vasoconstriction is recommended. Patient advised to notify if numbness,tingling,muscle pain,weakness and chest pain signs appears.FurazolidoneBoth agents act synergistically affecting the sympathomimetic activity in this way that furazolidone enhances the storage of norepinephrine in adrenergic neuron and ephedrine increases its liberation result in severe hypertension and hyperpyrexia.MajorBoth agents should not be used in combination.There should be gap of atleast 14 days before initiation of ephedrine therapy and discontinuation of therapy with furazolidone.Halothaneconcomitant administration should be avoided with anesthetic such as halothane , cyclopropaneHyoscine (Butylbromide)IsocarboxazidLevodopaMaprotiline (HCl)Maprotiline interfere with the pressor effect of ephedrine.MinorMonitor the patient`s blood pressure regularly.MoclobemideNitroglycerinEphedrine oppose the vasodilatory actions of nitroglycerin and may cause angina. Noradrenaline (Acid Tartrate)OxprenololConcomitant use may cause hypertensive reactions.Oxytocinconcomitant administration may lead to vasoconstrictive effectPhenobarbitonePhenylpropanolamine (HCl)There is an increase in blood pressure and heart rate if this combination is used.ModerateThis combination is used cautiously and should monitor pulse and blood pressure.ProcarbazineBoth agents act synergistically affecting the sympathomimetic activity in this way that procarbazine enhances the storage of norepinephrine in adrenergic neuron and ephedrine increases its liberation result in severe hypertension and hyperpyrexia.MajorBoth agents should not be used in combination.if necessary 14 days discontinuation of procarbazine must take before initiastion of ephedrine therapy.Quinagolide (HCl)Quinidinetheir is risk of arrythmias when ephedrine co administered with cardiac glycosides such as quinidine or TCAsRauwolfia ReserpineReserpineSelegiline (HCl)SibutramineSodium AcetateAlkalization of the urine decreases the urinary excretion increases the elimination half-life of ephedrine.ModeratePatients should be monitored for toxic effects such as tremor, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, or nervousness. Dosage reductions may be required.Sodium BicarbonateTheophyllineCoadministration may increases the side effects of theophylline because of synergistic pharmacological effects.MinorClosely monitor the patient for side effects of theophylline.Tranylcypromine (Sulphate)Ephedrine precipitate the hypertensive crises associated with tranylcypromine by acting synergistically to enhanced norepinephrine storage in adrenergic neurons and increases secretion of catecholamines.MajorCoadministration is considered contraindicated. There should be gap of atleast 14 days between initiation of therapy with ephedrine and discontinuing tranylcypromine.Trimipramine (Maleate) 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.

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.