Ephedrine
Ampoules
Adrenoreceptor stimulant Composition:
Each ampoule (1 ml ) contains:
Ephedrine HCL 30 mg.
Properties :
Ephedrine is a vasoconstrictor sympathomimetic drug . It has alpha – and beta- adrenergic activity , in therapeutic doses it raises blood pressure by increasing cardiac output and also by inducing peripheral vasoconstriction .
Ephedrine can accelerate the heart rate so it is effective in management of
bradycardia .
Ephedrine also may cause bronchodilatation effect . Indications & usage :
§ Ephedrine ampoule is used as an emergency method for elevating blood pressure in case reversal of hypotension from spinal or epidural anaesthesia and management of associated bradycardia .
§ Ephedrine can be used as bronchodilator in case of reversible airways obstruction if clearly needed . Contra-indications:
Ephedrine is contra-indicated in case of breast feeding and narrow angle glaucoma . Side effects:
The commonest side effects of Ephedrine are : anxiety , restlessness , insomnia
tremor and tachycardia , Hypertension , seizures , hallucination , palpitation
and arrythmias and anginal pain may occur .
Nausea , vomiting , dizziness, anorexia , headache , flushing , urine retention ,
sweating, hyperglycemia, stinging, contact dermatitis. Drug interactions :-
Risk of hypertension crisis :when Ephedrine given with MAOIs, meclobemide
doxapram or oxytocin .
Hypertensive effect of sympathomimetics is antagonized by antipsychotics.
Ephedrine antagonizes hypotensive effect of adrenergic neuron blockers and
may accelerate the metabolism of dexamethasone .
Possible hypertensive effect with furazolidine .
Inhibition of antihypertensive effect of guanethidine .
Increased serum concentration by antacids .
False increased of urine amino acids and urine 5- HIAA Warnings & precautions
Ephedrine is used with caution in case of hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease, hypertension , Prostatic hypertrophy , hypovolemia, angle closure glaucoma, elderly patients and pregnancy .
Dosage & administration :
- For reversal of hypotension from spinal or epidural anesthesia :
0.25ml of Ephedrine ampoule (30mg/ml) is given by slow intravenous injection
and repeated every 3-4 minutes according to response to maximum 1ml
(30mg).
- Ephedrine ampoule can also be injection intramuscularly or subcutaneously .
Packing :
A carton box containing 100 ampoules each of 1ml. Storage :
Store at temperature below 30oC away from light . | 
