Ephedrine

Administration

• Type: Sympathomimetic, Pressors
• Dosage Forms:
• Routes of Administration: IV; ephedrine directly from ephedra plant may be consumed PO as component of traditional chinese medicine
• Common Trade Names:

Adult Dosing

• Hypotension in setting of analgesia: 5-10mg IV bolus, repeat prn, max dose 50mg

Pediatric Dosing

Safety/efficacy not established

Special Populations

Pregnancy Rating

• Fetal risk cannot be ruled out

Lactation risk

• Infant risk cannot be ruled out

Renal Dosing

• Adult: not established

Hepatic Dosing

• Adult: Not established

Contraindications

• Allergy to class/drug
• Closed angle glaucoma, Pheochromocytoma
• Caution if using postpartum with concomitant oxytocics
• Caution in severe hypertension, history of cardiac disease
• Caution with concomitant use of norepi-dopa reuptake inhibitors (e.g. bupropion, Ritalin)

Adverse Reactions

Serious

• Severe hypertension
• Stroke
• Tachycardia, bradycardia

Common

• Hypertension
• Palpitations, Tachycardia
• Nausea/vomiting
• Dizziness, restlessness

Pharmacology

• Half-life: 6h
• Metabolism:
• Excretion: Renal

Mechanism of Action

• Sympathomimetic: stimulates both alpha and beta adrenergic receptors

Comments

• Ephedrine in its natural plant form, known as má huáng (麻黄), used in traditional chinese medicine as decongestant, bronchodilator
• Ephedrine used historically (now illicitly) for weight-loss and recreationally as stimulant due to its' amphetamine-like properties

See Also

• Sympathomimetic
• Pressors