Ephedrine
Description
Ephedrine is a vasopressor agent used for the treatment of hypotension (low blood pressure) in the process of anesthesia. This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Ephedrine
- Increase in heart rate
- Restlessness
- Nervousness
- Headache
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Urinary retention
- Confusion
Uses of Ephedrine
What is it prescribed for?
- Hypotension during anesthesia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed rapidly upon intravenous administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to ephedrine or any other inactive ingredients present in the formulation.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Other medicines
Ephedrine may interact with many other medicines and may cause severe adverse effects. Hence, it is advised that you inform the doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)
Use of this medicine is not recommended for use in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) due to the increased risk of serious and life-threatening side effects. A time gap of at least 14 days should be maintained between stopping therapy with MAOIs and starting therapy with this medicine.
Cardiovascular Diseases
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with heart diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of heart function, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Amitriptyline
Tramadol
Insulin
Levothyroxine
Procarbazine
Digoxin
Imipramine
Chlorpromazine
Disease interactions
Cardiovascular disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Close monitoring of cardiac function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia due to the increased risk of urinary retention. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Diabetes
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with diabetes due to the increased risk of altered blood glucose levels. Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by temporarily reducing the blood supply to the small blood vessels.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Vasopressors
Schedule
Schedule H
Ephedrine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 31 December 2018]. Available from:
Ephedrine [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 31 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 31 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Mhra.gov.uk. 2018 [cited 31 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 13 Sep 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.