Ephedrine (ephedrine hydrochloride)

This product should not be used with other stimulant products (eg, caffeine), other cough and cold products, or as a dietary supplement for the purpose of weight loss or bodybuilding. Doing so may increase your risk of unlikely but potentially fatal side effects, including stroke, heart attack, seizures, or severe mental disorders (see the Possible Side Effects section). In addition, dietary supplements containing Ephedrine should not exceed 8 mg as a single Ephedrine dose, 24 mg of Ephedrine per day (24 hours), or be given for longer than 7 days. Exceeding the recommended dose of Ephedrine increases your risk of the side effects noted above. For detailed information, consult your pharmacist. Check all product labels carefully to see if they contain Ephedrine or Ephedrine/Ma-Huang, which are all very similar; do not combine these products. Read the product labeling carefully. Some products contain other ingredients that may cause serious side effects.

Ephedrine is used for:

Respiratory conditions, including asthma, nasal swelling, and nasal congestion. It is also claimed to be a heart and nervous system stimulant. It may have other uses. Check with your pharmacist for more details regarding the particular brand you use.

Ephedrine is an herbal product. It works by stimulating the nervous system, which can increase heart rate and blood pressure.

Do NOT use Ephedrine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Ephedrine
• you are taking furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine)
• you have pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal gland)
• you are pregnant

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Ephedrine:

Some medical conditions may interact with Ephedrine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of stroke, diabetes, glaucoma, high blood pressure, or seizures
• if you have a history of a heart, circulatory, or thyroid condition

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Ephedrine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine) because serious side effects such as very high blood pressure may occur
• Blood pressure medicines (eg, diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors) because the effectiveness may be decreased by Ephedrine

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Ephedrine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Ephedrine:

Use Ephedrine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Dosing depends on the use and the source of the product.
• Use as directed on the package, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
• Do not increase the dose, take it more frequently or use for a longer period of time than directed.
• If you miss taking a dose of Ephedrine for 1 or more days, there is no cause for concern. If your doctor recommended that you take it, try to remember your dose every day.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Ephedrine.

Important safety information:

• This product may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Ephedrine. Using this product alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Ephedrine .
• Check with your doctor before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, including medicine containing potassium or sodium citrate, sodium acetate, sodium bicarbonate, or sodium lactate.
• Do not exceed the recommended dose of this product or take it for longer than recommended. Exceeding the recommended dose or taking for longer than recommended may be habit-forming. When used in high doses, this product may cause serious side effects, including high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and seizures. Do not use this product for more than 7 days at a time. Use of this product for longer than 7 days may also lead to a worsening of your condition. If used for longer than 7 days, do not suddenly stop using this product. Check with your doctor to see if a gradual reduction in dose is recommended.
• The long-term safety of herbal products is not known. Before using any alternative medicine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Liquid preparations of this product may contain sugar or alcohol. If you have diabetes, a liver condition, or a history of alcohol dependence, check with your doctor or pharmacist about the use of this product.
• Ephedrine is not recommended for use in the ELDERLY. They may be more sensitive to the stimulant effects of Ephedrine and may experience difficulty sleeping.
• This product is not recommended for use in CHILDREN.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Ephedrine if you are pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this product.

When used for long periods of time or at high doses, Ephedrine may not work as well and may require higher doses to obtain the same effect as when originally taken. This is known as TOLERANCE. Talk with your doctor if Ephedrine stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.

Possible side effects of Ephedrine:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

• Headache
• irritability
• stomach upset.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest
• swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue)
• changes in skin appearance
• changes in vision
• chest pain
• difficulty with urination
• dizziness
• fainting
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• loss of consciousness
• mood changes
• nausea
• nervousness
• numbness in an arm or leg
• seizures
• severe stomach pain
• shortness of breath
• slurred speech or confusion
• sudden leg pain
• sudden severe headache
• trouble sleeping
• vomiting

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

If OVERDOSE is suspected

Contact your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include enlarged pupils; fever; loss of consciousness; muscle spasms; nausea; rapid or irregular heartbeat; restlessness; seizures; sweating; tremor; vomiting.

Proper storage of Ephedrine

Store at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and light unless otherwise directed on the package label. Do not store in the bathroom. Most herbal products are not in childproof containers. Keep Ephedrine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information

• If you have any questions about Ephedrine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Ephedrine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Ephedrine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.