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RESPIRATORY SYSTEM › DRUGS FOR OBSTRUCTIVE AIRWAY DISEASES › ADRENERGICS FOR SYSTEMIC USE › Alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptor agonists
ephedrine
R03CA02
Forms & Strengths
- Injection: 50 mg/mL
- Injection: 5 mg/mL in 10 mL single-dose prefilled syringes
Adult Dosing
- Treatment of hypotension during anesthesia: 5 to 10 mg IV bolus as needed, repeated every 3 to 5 minutes up to 50 mg max initial dose.
Pediatric Dosing
- Bronchospasm or hypotension (off-label): 0.5 mg/kg or 16.7 mg/m2 subcutaneously or IV every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
Indications
- Treatment of clinically important hypotension occurring in the setting of spinal, epidural, or general anesthesia.
Mechanism of Action
- Sympathomimetic amine that acts as an agonist at alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors and indirectly stimulates release of norepinephrine from storage sites, increasing heart rate, cardiac output, and blood pressure.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to ephedrine or any component of the formulation
- Use in conjunction with MAO inhibitors (within 14 days) due to risk of hypertensive crisis
Adverse Reactions
- Tachycardia
- Palpitations
- Hypertension
- Arrhythmias
- Angina
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Urinary retention
Drug Interactions
- MAO inhibitors: May cause severe, prolonged hypertension or hypertensive crisis
- General anesthetics (halogenated hydrocarbons): May increase risk of myocardial irritability and ventricular arrhythmias
- Oxytocic drugs: Can cause severe postpartum hypertension
- Alpha- and beta-blockers: May antagonize the therapeutic effects of ephedrine
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use