General Information
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
Efipres amp (Neon Labs)
Sulfidrin inj (Samarth)
Ephedrine is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Ephedrine is pronounced as: e-FED-rin
Ephedrine is a vasoconstrictor and a decongestant.
Ephedrine is used for following purpose
- Treatment and prevention of spinal & epidural Anaesthesia induced hypotension
- Treatment of Diabetic neuropathic oedema
- Relieve congestion due to hay fever, flu, cold and allergies
- Take ephedrine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If do not understand these instructions ask your pharmacist, nurse or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take ephedrine preferably with meal with a full glass of water to avoid gastric upset.
- Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer duration than recommended by your doctor.
- Do not skip doses or stop taking ephedrine without consulting your doctor.
- Ephedrine should not be taken if you have taken a Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitor like phenelzine in the last 14 days as it can cause severe increase in blood pressure.
- Always remember to inform your health expert if you are currently taking any OTC or prescription drugs like,
- Digoxin
- Theophylline (anti asthma drug)
- Anti arrhythmic like Quinidine
- Corticosetriods like Dexamethasone
- Tricyclic Antidepresssants like amitriptyline
- Inform your doctor if you have following medical diseases , as Ephedrine should be used cautiously in these conditions
- Ischemic heart disease
- Diabetes
- Glaucoma
- Prostate enlargement
- Liver disease
- Renal impairment
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypertension
What are the precautions I should follow for ephedrine?
Children:
Old people:
Pregnant woman: Ephedrine belongs to FDA pregnancy category C. This means that ephedrine may harm an unborn baby if used during pregnancy but potential benefit may warrant use of the drug in pregnant woman despite potential risks. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: It is not known whether ephedrine passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take ephedrine with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
Other: If you are diabetic, on ephedrine medication watch your blood sugar levels closely
Ephedrine is available as a tablet, injection. Your doctor will prescribe it depending on the severity of the disease
Use as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease. Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose.
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician.
The overdose symptoms of Ephedrine are
Ephedrine may cause following side effects
Consult your doctor immediately if notice following symptoms.
- Allergic reaction like swollen lips, hives, difficulty in breathing, rashes. Peeling of skin etc
- Difficulty in passing urine or retention
Store ephedrine at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
- Ephedrine can cause dizziness. When affected do not drive or operate heavy machinery and avoid alcohol.
- Inform your doctor or dentist regarding ephedrine medication prior to any procedure.
- Visit your doctor regularly for monitoring your progress and for lab test (liver function test, blood tests) to look for possible side effects of Ephedrine.
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 04, 2012