Drug reference

Ephedrine hydrochloride

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 308, 309

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

Reversal of hypotension from spinal or epidural anaesthesia ▶BY SLOW INTRAVENOUS INJECTION ▶Adult: 3–6 mg every 3–4 minutes (max. per dose 9 mg), adjusted according to response, injection solution to contain ephedrine hydrochloride 3 mg/ml; maximum 30 mg per course Reversible airways obstruction ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 15–60 mg 3 times a day Neuropathic oedema ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 30–60 mg 3 times a day l UNLICENSED USE ▶With oral use Not licensed for neuropathic oedema.

PDF page 308

Cautions

GENERAL CAUTIONS Diabetes mellitus. elderly. hypertension. hyperthyroidism. ischaemic heart disease. prostatic hypertrophy (risk of acute urinary retention) SPECIFIC CAUTIONS ▶With intravenous use Susceptibility to angle-closure glaucoma

PDF page 308

Exceptions To Legal Category

▶With oral use For exceptions relating to ephedrine tablets see Medicines, Ethics and Practice, London, Pharmaceutical Press (always consult latest edition).

PDF page 309

Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: sympathomimetics, vasoconstrictor

PDF page 308

Side Effects

GENERAL SIDE-EFFECTS ▶Common or very common Anxiety. headache. insomnia. nausea ▶Frequency not known Tremor SPECIFIC SIDE-EFFECTS ▶Common or very common ▶With intravenous use Arrhythmias. asthenia. confusion. depression. dyspnoea. hyperhidrosis. irritability. palpitations. vomiting ▶Rare or very rare ▶With intravenous use Acute urinary retention ▶With oral use Myocardial infarction ▶Frequency not known ▶With intravenous use Acute angle closure glaucoma. angina pectoris. appetite decreased. cardiac arrest. dizziness. hypokalaemia. intracranial haemorrhage. psychotic disorder. pulmonary oedema ▶With oral use Arrhythmias. circulation impaired. dry mouth. enuresis. hypertension. sedation

PDF pages 308, 309

Pregnancy

▶With oral use Manufacturer advises avoid. ▶With intravenous use Increased fetal heart rate reported with parenteral ephedrine.

PDF page 309

Breast Feeding

Present in milk; manufacturer advises avoid—irritability and disturbed sleep reported.

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Renal Impairment

Use with caution. l LESS SUITABLE FOR PRESCRIBING ▶With oral use Ephedrine tablets are less suitable and less safe for use as a bronchodilator than the selective beta2 agonists.

PDF page 309

Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order manufacturers include: oral suspension, oral solution, solution for injection Tablet ▶Ephedrine hydrochloride (Non-proprietary) Ephedrine hydrochloride 15 mg Ephedrine hydrochloride 15mg tablets | 28 tablet P £114.24 DT = £76.30 Ephedrine hydrochloride 30 mg Ephedrine hydrochloride 30mg tablets | 28 tablet P £172.94 DT = £115.61 Solution for injection ▶Ephedrine hydrochloride (Non-proprietary) Ephedrine hydrochloride 3 mg per 1 ml Ephedrine 30mg/10ml solution for injection ampoules | 10 ampoule P £107.44 Ephedrine 30mg/10ml solution for injection pre-filled syringes | 1 pre- filled disposable injection P £7.59–£9.50 | 12 pre-filled disposable injection P £114.00 Ephedrine hydrochloride 30 mg per 1 ml Ephedrine 30mg/1ml solution for injection ampoules | 10 ampoule P £52.50–£69.62 DT = £69.62 XANTHINES

PDF page 309

Dose text by age group

Adult

3–6 mg every 3–4 minutes (max. per dose 9 mg),

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 308

Adult

15–60 mg 3 times a day

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 308

Adult

30–60 mg 3 times a day

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 308

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.

Drug reference

Ephedrine hydrochloride

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 308, 309

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

PDF page 308

Cautions

PDF page 308

Exceptions To Legal Category

▶With oral use For exceptions relating to ephedrine tablets see Medicines, Ethics and Practice, London, Pharmaceutical Press (always consult latest edition).

PDF page 309

Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: sympathomimetics, vasoconstrictor

PDF page 308

Side Effects

PDF pages 308, 309

Pregnancy

▶With oral use Manufacturer advises avoid. ▶With intravenous use Increased fetal heart rate reported with parenteral ephedrine.

PDF page 309

Breast Feeding

Present in milk; manufacturer advises avoid—irritability and disturbed sleep reported.

PDF page 309

Renal Impairment

Use with caution. l LESS SUITABLE FOR PRESCRIBING ▶With oral use Ephedrine tablets are less suitable and less safe for use as a bronchodilator than the selective beta2 agonists.

PDF page 309

Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

PDF page 309

Dose text by age group

Adult

3–6 mg every 3–4 minutes (max. per dose 9 mg),

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 308

Adult

15–60 mg 3 times a day

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 308

Adult

30–60 mg 3 times a day

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 308

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.