Ephedrine (Ephedrine) Drug Center: Guide to Drug Information for Professionals, Patients and Caregivers at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Ephedrine

Narcolepsy »

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the main symptom and is present in 100% of patients with narcolepsy. Other primary symptoms of narcolepsy include:

loss of muscle tone (cataplexy),
distorted perceptions (hypnagogic hallucinations), and
inability to move or talk (sleep paralysis).

Additional symptoms include disturbed nocturnal sleep and automatic behavior (patients carry out certain actions without conscious awareness). All of the symptoms of narcolepsy may be present in various combinations and degrees of severity.

Narcolepsy usually begins in teenagers or young adults and affects both sexes equally. The first symptom to appear is excessive daytime sleepiness, which may remain unrecognized for a long time in that it develops gradually over time. The other symptoms can follow excessive daytime sleepiness by months...

Read the Narcolepsy article »

Ephedrine

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Ephedrine Drug Center

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

Prescribing Information

Ephedrine is used to treat breathing problems (as a bronchodilator), nasal congestion (as a decongestant), low blood pressure problems (orthostatic hypotension), or myasthenia gravis. Ephedrine is also used to treat narcolepsy, menstrual problems (dysmenorrhea), or urine-control problems. It is a central nervous system stimulant. This medication is available in generic form. Common side effects include nervousness, anxiety, dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, or trouble sleeping.

The dosage of Ephedrine is based on the patient's medical condition and response to therapy. For prescription Ephedrine, do not exceed 150 mg per day in adults or 75 mg per day in children. Ephedrine may interact with other adrenalin-like drugs, MAO inhibitors, beta-blockers, blood pressure medicine, tricyclic antidepressants, diuretics (water pills), digoxin, atropine, theophylline, oxytocin, or St John's wort. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. Ephedrine should be used only when prescribed during pregnancy. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Due to the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended.

Our Ephedrine Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information as well as related drugs, user reviews, supplements, and diseases and conditions articles.

What is Prescribing information?

The FDA package insert formatted in easy-to-find categories for health professionals and clinicians.

Ephedrine Prescribing Information: Indications & Dosage

EPHEDRINE SULFATE Structural Formula Illustration

Ephedrine Sulfate Injection, USP is indicated in the treatment of allergic disorders, such as bronchial asthma. The drug has long been used as a pressor agent, particularly during spinal anesthesia when hypotension frequently occurs. In Stokes-Adams syndrome with complete heart block, ephedrine has a value similar to that of epinephrine. It is indicated as a central nervous system stimulant in narcolepsy and depressive states. It is also used in myasthenia gravis.

Read the complete drug monograph for Ephedrine »