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Pronunciation | /ɪˈfɛdrɪn/ or /ˈɛfɪdriːn/ |
Trade names | Akovaz, Corphedra, Emerphed, others |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Ephedrine: Monograph HCl: Monograph Sulfate: Monograph |
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Routes of administration | By mouth, intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC) |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | 85% |
Metabolism | Minimal liver |
Onset of action | IV (seconds), IM (10 min to 20 min), by mouth (15 min to 60 min)[6] |
Elimination half-life | 3 h to 6 h |
Duration of action | IV/IM (60 min), by mouth (2 h to 4 h) |
Excretion | 22% to 99% (urine) |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.005.528 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C10H15NO |
Molar mass | 165.236 g·mol−1 |
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Ephedrine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is often used to prevent low blood pressure during anesthesia.[6] It has also been used for asthma, narcolepsy, and obesity but is not the preferred treatment.[6] It is of unclear benefit in nasal congestion.[6] It can be taken by mouth or by injection into a muscle, vein, or just under the skin.[6] Onset with intravenous use is fast, while injection into a muscle can take 20 minutes, and by mouth can take an hour for effect.[6] When given by injection it lasts about an hour and when taken by mouth it can last up to four hours.[6]
Common side effects include trouble sleeping, anxiety, headache, hallucinations, high blood pressure, fast heart rate, loss of appetite, and urinary retention.[6] Serious side effects include stroke and heart attack.[6] While likely safe in pregnancy, its use in this population is poorly studied.[7][8] Use during breastfeeding is not recommended.[8] Ephedrine works by increasing the activity of the α and β adrenergic receptors.[6]
Ephedrine was first isolated in 1885 and came into commercial use in 1926.[9][10] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[11] It is available as a generic medication.[6] It can normally be found in plants of the Ephedra genus.[6] Over-the-counter dietary supplements containing ephedrine are illegal in the United States,[6] with the exception of those used in traditional Chinese medicine, where its presence is noted by má huáng.[6]