EPHEDRINE

Brand & Generic Names

Broncholate	Quelidrine Cough
Bronkotuss Expectorant	Rentamine Pediatric
Histatuss Pediatric	Rynatuss
KIE	Rynatuss Pediatric
Omni-Tuss

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Low Strength: No High Strength: Yes
• Available as generic? Yes, for some.
• Drug class: Sympathomimetic

Uses

• Relieves bronchial asthma.
• Decreases congestion of breathing passages.
• Suppresses allergic reactions.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid. You may chew or crush tablet.
Extended-release tablets or capsules--Swallow each dose whole.
Syrup--Take as directed on bottle.
Drops--Dilute dose in beverage.

When to take:
As needed, no more often than every 4 hours.

If you forget a dose:
Take up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Prevents cells from releasing allergy-causing chemicals (histamines).
Relaxes muscles of bronchial tubes.
Decreases blood vessel size and blood flow, thus causing decongestion.

Time lapse before drug works:
30 to 60 minutes.

Don't take with:
Non-prescription drugs with ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or epinephrine.
Non-prescription drugs for cough, cold, allergy or asthma without consulting doctor.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Severe anxiety, confusion, delirium, muscle tremors, rapid and irregular pulse.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

• Nervousness, headache, paleness, rapid heartbeat.
• Insomnia.

Infrequent:

• Irregular heartbeat.
• Dizziness, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, painful or difficult urination.

Rare:

None expected.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to ephedrine or any sympathomimetic* drug.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have high blood pressure.
• If you have diabetes.
• If you have overactive thyroid gland.
• If you have difficulty urinating.
• If you have taken any MAO inhibitor in past 2 weeks.
• If you have taken digitalis preparations in the last 7 days.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Over age 60:
More likely to develop high blood pressure, heart-rhythm disturbances, angina and to feel drug's stimulant effects.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Decide with you doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
No problems expected.

Prolonged use:

• Excessive doses--Rare toxic psychosis.
• Men with enlarged prostate gland may have more urination difficulty.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel dizzy. Otherwise, no problems expected.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:
No problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antidepressants,	Increased effect of
tricyclic (TCA)*	ephedrine. Excessive stimulation of
	heart and blood pressure.
Antihypertensives*	Decreased antihypertensive effect.
Beta-adrenergic	Decreased effects
blockers*	of both drugs.
Dextrothyroxine	Increased ephedrine effect.
Digitalis	Serious heart-rhythm
preparations*	disturbances.
Epinephrine	Increased epinephrine effect.
Ergot	Serious blood-
preparations*	pressure rise.
Furazolidine	Sudden, severe increase in blood
	pressure.
Guanadrel	Decreased effect of both drugs.
Guanethidine	Decreased effect of both drugs.
MAO inhibitors*	Increased ephedrine effect.
	Dangerous blood pressure rise.
Methyldopa	Possible increased blood pressure.
Nitrates*	Possible decreased effects of both
	drugs.
Phenothiazines*	Possible increased ephedrine
	toxicity. Possible decreased
	ephedrine effect.
Pseudoephedrine	Increased pseudoephedrine effect.
Rauwolfia	Decreased rauwolfia effect.
Sympathomimetics*	Increased ephedrine effect.
Terazosin	Decreases effectiveness of
	terazosin.
Theophylline	Increased gastrointestinal

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Caffeine drinks.	Nervousness or insomnia.
Cocaine:	High risk of heartbeat
	irregularities and high blood
	pressure.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Rapid heartbeat, possible heart-
	rhythm disturbance.
Tobacco:	None expected.