5 mins read

Uses

What is ephedrine used for?

Ephedrine is commonly used to relieve mild symptoms of asthma, such as wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Ephedrine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does ephedrine work (mechanism of action)?

Ephedrine works by relaxing the muscles around your airways, making it easier for you to breathe.

How is ephedrine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Bronkaid Max
  • Primatene

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 12.5 mg, 25 mg oral tablets

How should I store ephedrine?

Ephedrine should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C).

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of ephedrine?

The most common side effects of ephedrine are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Tremors
  • Nervousness

There may be other side effects of ephedrine that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of ephedrine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of ephedrine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Ephedrine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking ephedrine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Heart Attack and Stroke. Ephedrine can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk is increased in people with high blood pressure, heart disease, and with higher doses of ephedrine. Do not take ephedrine if you have had a recent heart attack without talking to your healthcare provider. This could increase your risk of having another heart attack. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
  • Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
  • Sudden weakness on one side of your body
  • Sudden and severe headache
  • Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Ephedrine may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.

If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away. Increases in blood pressure may not be noticeable but look out for any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.

  • Sudden severe headache
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Trouble breathing
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Blurry or other changes to vision
  • Anxiety
  • Buzzing in the ears
  • Nosebleed
  • Feeling of skipped heart beats

Seizures. Some people who have taken ephedrine have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking ephedrine and call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use ephedrine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take ephedrine.

  • Bronkaid Max
  • Primatene 
  • Ephedrine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product 

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific ephedrine products they stock.

Drug Interactions. Ephedrine should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking ephedrine, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about ephedrine before using it?

Do not take ephedrine unless you have been told by your healthcare provider that you have asthma.

Keep ephedrine out of the reach of children.

Do not take more than is recommended on the specific product you are taking.

Contact your healthcare provider if any of the following are true. These are signs that your asthma may be getting worse.

  • Your symptoms get worse or do not get better within an hour of taking ephedrine
  • You have more than two asthma attacks in a week

Ephedrine may not relieve asthma symptoms as quickly as your prescription rescue inhaler.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using ephedrine?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if ephedrine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems, including heart disease or a fast or irregular heartbeat
  • A history of staying in the hospital because of your asthma
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid problems
  • Seizures 
  • Narrow-angle glaucoma
  • Mental health problems
  • Trouble peeing (urinary retention) due to an enlarged prostate gland

Pregnancy. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take ephedrine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take ephedrine while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does ephedrine interact with foods or drinks?

Do not eat foods or drink anything that contains caffeine while taking ephedrine.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect ephedrine.

Does ephedrine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking ephedrine.

  • A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past two weeks, which is a medicine used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
  • Products that contain caffeine, which is often found in medicines for reducing water weight (diuretics), staying awake, headaches, and hangover relief
  • Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed and others) or phenylephrine, which is a medicine commonly used for nasal congestion
  • A stimulant, such as methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, or amphetamine, which is a medicine commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (eADHD)
  • A supplement with ingredients that claims to have a stimulant effect
  • Any other medicine that contains ephedrine
  • A corticosteroid, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions, asthma, or COPD 
  • Theophylline (Theo-24, Elixophyllin), which is a medicine for asthma or certain other breathing problems
  • A beta-2 agonist, such as albuterol, arformoterol (Brovana), levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA), formoterol (Perforomist), olodaterol (Striverdi), or salmeterol (Serevent), which is a medicine commonly used for asthma or COPD
  • A medicine for weight loss
  • A medicine for depression or other mental health conditions

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much ephedrine?

If you or someone else has taken too much ephedrine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of ephedrine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.