Ephedrine Information:

What is Ephedrin used for:

Ephedrine is used to relieve congestion due to colds, flu, hay fever,and allergies, and for temporary relief of shortness of breath, chesttightness, and wheezing due to bronchial asthma. Ephedrine may also beused for other conditions as determined by your doctor.Ephedrine is adecongestant and bronchodilator. It works by reducing swelling andconstricting blood vessels in the nasal passages and widening theairway, allowing you to breathe more easily.

Do NOT use Ephedrin if:

* you are allergic to any ingredient
* you are taking furazolidone or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) in the last 14 days
* you have severe high blood pressure, severe heart blood vessel disease, a rapid heartbeat, or severe heart problems

Before using Ephedin:

Some medical conditions may interact with ephedrine. Tell yourdoctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially ifany of the following apply to you:

* if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
* if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
* if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
* if you have a history of heart problems, diabetes, glaucoma, anenlarged prostate or other prostate problems, adrenal gland problems,high blood pressure, seizures, stroke, blood vessel problems, anoveractive thyroid, or severe asthma

Somemedicines may interact with ephedrine. Tell your health care providerif you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

* Rauwolfia derivatives (eg, reserpine) because the effectiveness of may be decreased
* Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), cocaine, furazolidone, indomethacin,methyldopa, MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), oxytocic medicines (eg,oxytocin), rauwolfia derivatives (eg, reserpine), or tricyclicantidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the actions and sideeffects of ephedrine may be increased
* Bromocriptine, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (eg,entacapone), digoxin, or droxidopa because the actions and side effectsof these medicines may be increased
* Guanadrel, guanethidine, mecamylamine, methyldopa, or reserpine because its effectiveness may be decreased by ephedrine

Thismay not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask yourhealth care provider if ephedrine may interact with other medicinesthat you take. Check with your health care provider before you start,stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Ephedrin:

Usethis medication as directed by your doctor. Check the label on themedicine for exact dosing instructions. Check the label on the medicinefor exact dosing instructions.

* ephedrine may be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
* If you miss a dose of ephedrine and are taking it regularly, take itas soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2doses at once.

Important safety information:

* Ephedrinemay cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anythingelse that could be dangerous until you know how you react to ephedrine.Using ephedrine alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcoholmay lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangeroustasks.
* If your symptoms do not improve within 7 days or if you develop a high fever, check with your doctor.
* If you have trouble sleeping, ask your pharmacist or doctor about the best time to take this medication.
* Do not take diet or appetite control medicines while you are taking ephedrine.
* Before you begin taking any new prescription or nonprescriptionmedicine, read the ingredients to see if it also contains ephedrine. Ifit does or if you are uncertain, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
* Diabetes patients - ephedrine may affect your blood sugar. Checkblood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting thedose of your diabetes medicine.
* Use this medication with caution in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
* Use ephedrine with extreme caution in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
* Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is unknown if this medication cancause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant while taking ephedrine,discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using ephedrineduring pregnancy. It is unknown if ephedrine is excreted in breastmilk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are usingephedrine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks toyour baby.

Common side effects:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; headache; nausea; nervousness; restlessness; sleeplessness; stomach irritation.

Severeallergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in thechest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficultyurinating.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur.

How to store Ephedrine:

Storethis medication at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do notstore in the bathroom. Keep ephedrine out of the reach of children andaway from pets.

This article is for informational purposes only. For further instructions on Ephedrine consult with your doctor.