EPHEDRINUM HYDROCHLORICUM

 

StockNo	Product description	Status
EB0280-443-07	EPHEDRINUM HYDROCHLORICUM TABL 50 MG X 10
EB0280-443-16	EPHEDRINUM HYDROCHLORICUM AMPOULE 50 MG/1 ML (5%)
EB0280-443-17	EPHEDRINUM HYDROCHLORICUM OINTMENT 20 G

 

COMPOSITION:
Ephedrine hydrochloride -

50 mg/l ml in one ampoule
50 mg in one tablet
3 % ointment

ACTION:
Ephedrine is an alkaloid obtained from the stems of the plants of the family of Ephedraceae and is more active than the preparation ephetonin produced synthetically. It belongs to the group of sympathicomimetics, but its effect is weaker and more prolonged than that of adrenaline. It inhibits the activity of monoaminooxidase, stimulates alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptors. It causes constriction of the peripheral vessels, accelerates the heart rhythm, increases arterial pressure, dilates the bronchi, inhibits intestinal peristalsis and dilates thew pupils. It increases the metabolism by raising inessentially the blood sugar level after therapeutic doses. In therapeutic doses it exercises a weak stimulating effect on CNS (psychic and motor restlessness, insomnia) and increases also the excitability of the respiratory center. It possesses a "waking" action in cases of intoxication with narcotics and hypnotics. The suppression of the appetite is due to its central action. It accumulates in more acid liquids (including the intracellular liquid). Melanine concentrated in some pigment structures can bind itself specifically with ephedrine.

PHARMACOKINETICS:
Owing to its greater stability, ephedrine is effective after oral administration and is appropriate for prolonged treatment, it is well absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and is excreted with the urine mainly unchanged. Its half-life is from 3 to 6 hours.

INDICATIONS:
Allergic disease: for prophylaxis and treatment of fits of bronchial asthma combined with antispastic (novphylline, papaverine) and sedative drugs; for treatment of hay fever, urticaria and allergic rhinitis. It is applied in whooping-cough, chronic bronchitis and lung emphysema.
For increase of BP in cases of: traumatic shock, operations, hemorrhages; in case of decreased AP accompanying infectious diseases; rarely in hypotension but only in people with satisfactory functional state of the heart. Owing to its prolonged action, ephedrine may be used for prophylaxis of vascular collapse (in spinal anesthesia).
As a drug stimulating the respiratory center - in intoxications with narcotics and hypnotics (morphine, barbiturates). Its central stimulating action is used for treatment of narcolepsy and enuresis nocturna.
Local application - in vasomotor rhinitis and acute sinusitis.

SIDE EFFECTS:
Sometimes 15-30 minutes after oral administration of the preparation, a slight tremor and palpitation may be observed, but they are short-lived. After overdosage - nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, nervous excitement, insomnia, tachycardia, circulation disturbances, dizziness, disury (sometimes even when applied in therapeutic doses), profuse perspiration, eruptions.

DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Combined therapy of ephedrine with reserpine and MAO-inhibitors may cause a sharp decrease of blood pressure, the combination of ephedrine with inderal decreases its broncholytic effect. Ephedrine is an antagonist of the non-steroid analgesics and of the drugs suppressing CNS.

PRECAUTIONS:
In order to avoid sleep disturbances, the preparation should not be taken in the evening or before going to bed.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTARTION:
Orally: adults - 0.002-0.02 g depending on age and body weight. The treatment course lasts 10-15 days, with 3-day pauses every 3-4 days.
Subcutaneously or intramuscularly - 0.4-0.8 g of the injection solution.
Intravenously the preparation is applied very slowly at a dose of 0.4 to 1 ml of a 55 solution or in the form of a dropwise infusion at a dose of 0.06-0.08 g in 250-500 ml sodium chloride or 5 % glucose solution.
Locally (per nasi) - 2-3 times from the ointment.

MEDICINAL FORM AND PACKAGE:
Ampoules of 50 mg/l ml (5%) in packs of 10, 50 and 100.
Tablets of 50 mg in packs of 10.
Ointment - in tubes of 20 g.

STORAGE:
At moderate temperature (15-30° C).

EXPIRY:
Ampoules and tablets - 5 (five) years.
Ointment - 2 (two) years.