Ephedrine (Ephedrine)
Overview of Ephedrine
Ephedrine is a plant alkaloid. Ephedrine is now made synthetically. Ephedrine is a mixed action adrenergic agent. It occurs in various plants and has been used in china for over 2000 years. It was introduced in western medicine approximately 70 years ago as the first orally active sympathomimetics drug. Because Ephedrine is a noncatechol phenylisopropylamine. It has high bilavailibilty and long duration of action. Clinically Ephedrine is utilized when a prolonged duration of action is desired, particularly after oral administration. The main applications are as a nasal decongestant and as a pressor agent.
Indication of Ephedrine
Ephedrine is primarily indicated in conditions like Bronchial asthma, Diabetic neuropathic edema, Hypotension, Narcolepsy, Nasal congestion, Nocturnal enuresis, Reduction of neutropenia-related risk of infection, Reversible airways obstruction, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in CNS stimulation, Myasthenia gravis, Stokes-adams attack.
Contraindication of Ephedrine
Ephedrine is contraindicated in conditions like Hypertension,Thyrotoxicosis,Ischaemic heart disease,Prostatic hypertrophy.
Side Effects of Ephedrine
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Ephedrine, which give rise to further complications include Psychosis, Cardiopathy.,Ephedrine produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Central Stimulation, Acute cardiovascular stimulation. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Ephedrine therapy.,The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Ephedrine include Nausea, Vomiting, Tachycardia, Convulsions, Coma, Respiratory depression, Fever, Palpitations, Respiratory depression, Hypertension, Paranoid psychosis, Respiratory depression.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Ephedrine are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Headache, Anxiety, Restlessness, Tachycardia, Tremors, Insomnia, Nasal congestion, Local irritation.
Precautions of Ephedrine
Ephedrine should be used with caution in patients of heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris, renal impairment, diabetes, hypertension. Avoid intraneural and intravascular injection.