Ephedrine injection
What are ephedrine injection?
EPHEDRINE injection is used to treat symptoms of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or other lung disease. It is also used to treat low blood pressure in patients who received certain types of anesthesia, underwent a specific type of surgery, or received an overdose of a drug that can lower blood pressure. Generic ephedrine injections are available.
What should my health care professional know before I receive ephedrine?
They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:
-
an anxiety disorder
-
blood vessel disease
-
diabetes
-
glaucoma
-
heart disease
-
high blood pressure
-
over active thyroid
-
prostate trouble
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to ephedrine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Ephedrine is for injection under the skin, into a muscle or into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
What drug(s) may interact with ephedrine?
-
atropine
-
caffeine
-
cocaine
-
digoxin
-
guarana
-
linezolid
-
medicines for colds and breathing difficulties
-
medicines for mental depression
-
medicines for migraine
-
medicines for heart disease or high blood pressure
-
sodium bicarbonate
-
water pills
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before starting or stopping any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking ephedrine?
This does not apply as your condition will be closely monitored during use of ephedrine injection.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without checking with your prescriber or health care professional. Nonprescription medicines may contain ingredients that will increase the effects of your medicine.
What side effects may I notice from taking ephedrine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or Uncommon:
-
chest pain
-
confusion
-
dizziness, or fainting spells
-
hallucinations
-
numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
-
rapid or troubled breathing
-
seizures (convulsions)
-
severe, persistent, or worsening headache
More Common:
-
anxiety
-
excessive sweating or inability to cool down after strenuous exercise
-
fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations
-
increased blood pressure
-
pain or difficulty passing urine
-
sleeplessness (insomnia)
-
tremor
-
vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Ephedrine nasal spray
What are ephedrine nasal spray?
Ephedrine (Pretz-D®) acts as a decongestant to relieve nasal congestion (stuffiness) in patients with colds and sinus problems. Generic ephedrine nasal spray is not available.
What should my health care professional know before I use ephedrine?
They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:
-
anxiety disorders
-
blood vessel disease
-
diabetes
-
glaucoma
-
head injury or disease
-
heart disease
-
high blood pressure
-
over active thyroid
-
prostate trouble
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to ephedrine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Ephedrine nasal spray is only for use in the nose. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the label. Blow your nose gently. Keep your head in the upright position and spray into each nostril. Do not use the container for more than one person. Blow your nose well about 3 to 5 minutes after using ephedrine. Do not use more often than directed.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with ephedrine?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before starting or stopping any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking ephedrine?
Check with your prescriber or health care professional if your condition has not improved within 1 week, or if it gets worse. Using ephedrine for more than 3 to 5 days can make your runny or stuffy nose worse and increase your risk of developing side effects.
You may get a slight stinging sensation in the nose after using ephedrine. The effect should go away after a few applications.
What side effects may I notice from using ephedrine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
dizziness, or fainting spells
-
difficulty breathing
-
irregular heartbeat, palpitations
-
increased sweating
-
pale skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F); do not freeze. Protect from light. Do not use if solution is brown or contains a precipitate. Do not use the jelly if it is brown. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Ephedrine tablets
What are ephedrine tablets?
EPHEDRINE is a medicine that opens up your air passages and makes breathing easier. It is a medicine for patients with various lung problems such as asthma or bronchitis. Generic ephedrine tablets are available.
What should my health care professional know before I take ephedrine?
They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:
-
an anxiety disorder
-
blood vessel disease
-
diabetes
-
glaucoma
-
heart disease
-
high blood pressure
-
over active thyroid
-
prostate trouble
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to ephedrine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take ephedrine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, and you are taking it on a regular schedule, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose (less than 2 hours), take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with ephedrine?
-
atropine
-
caffeine
-
cocaine
-
digoxin
-
guarana
-
linezolid
-
medicines for colds and breathing difficulties
-
medicines for mental depression
-
medicines for migraine
-
medicines for heart disease or high blood pressure
-
sodium bicarbonate
-
water pills
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before starting or stopping any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking ephedrine?
Check with your prescriber or health care professional if your condition has not improved within 5 days, or if you have a high fever. Use ephedrine for asthma only if you are under the care of a physician.
If ephedrine makes it difficult for you to sleep at night, take your last dose a few hours before bedtime.
What side effects may I notice from taking ephedrine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or Uncommon:
-
chest pain
-
confusion
-
dizziness, or fainting spells
-
hallucinations
-
numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
-
rapid or troubled breathing
-
seizures (convulsions)
-
severe, persistent, or worsening headache
More Common:
-
anxiety
-
excessive sweating or inability to cool down after strenuous exercise
-
fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations
-
increased blood pressure
-
pain or difficulty passing urine
-
sleeplessness (insomnia)
-
tremor
-
vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.