Key information summary
Efficacy & effects
Used for cough associated with bronchial asthma, colds, acute and chronic bronchitis, and upper respiratory tract inflammation. Also used to relieve congestion and swelling of the nasal mucosa.
Dosage
As ephedrine hydrochloride, administer 25 to 40 mg subcutaneously 1 to 2 times a day. It may be administered via intravenous (I.V.), intramuscular (I.M.), or subcutaneous (S.C.) injection, and if administered intravenously, injection should be slow, with repetition possible after 5 or 10 minutes if necessary. Do not exceed 150 mg within 24 hours.
Precautions
This medication is provided in glass ampoule form, and care must be taken as glass fragments may mix when opening the container, especially when used in children or the elderly. This medication should not be used by individuals with certain conditions. For example, patients who are allergic to this medication or its components, those with high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, diabetes, prostate hypertrophy, specific tumors (pheochromocytoma), heart diseases, or those currently taking or recently stopped specific medications (MAO inhibitors) should avoid this drug. Additionally, caution is needed when administering to patients taking digitalis preparations, those with heart conditions, children, hyperthyroidism, closed-angle glaucoma, and patients with renal dysfunction. Using this medication may result in cardiovascular adverse reactions such as palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, and increased blood pressure. Neurological symptoms such as dizziness, headache, tremors, insomnia, sweating, thirst, and weakness may also occur. Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite may occur, and urinary disturbances may also arise. If allergic reactions like skin rashes develop, use should be stopped immediately. Overdose may result in psychiatric symptoms like anxiety, hallucinations, and delusions, and prolonged use may lead to dependency or tolerance, so caution is advised. Strict adherence to the dosage and administration is required, and it is advisable to discontinue use if there is no effect. Special care should be taken when administering to children to ensure proper usage instructions and close monitoring of their condition. When used with thyroid medications, the effect of this drug may be intensified, necessitating dose adjustments, and co-administration with certain anesthetics or other heart-related medications may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, so co-administration should be avoided. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should avoid this medication as it may affect the fetus, and nursing mothers should also avoid this medication as it may pass into breast milk and cause side effects in infants. Elderly patients may have reduced physiological functions; thus, caution such as dose reduction is necessary when using this medication.
Side effects
Severe allergic reactions including edema with accompanying increased blood pressure, ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, rashes