Ephedrine is a decongestant used to treat nasal congestion.
Pronunciation: e-FED-rin
What are ephedrine’s uses?
This central nervous system stimulant helps you breathe more easily by reducing swelling and constricting blood vessels in your nasal airways and by widening the lung airways.
What dosage should you take?
Consult with your doctor or Clicks pharmacist about the correct dosage for you or your children.
What special precautions should you take?
- It is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age, so first consult with your doctor or Clicks pharmacist about paediatric use.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid ephedrine, as it could cause harm.
- Be careful while driving, operating heavy machinery or doing anything that needs you to be alert as you may experience the side effect of dizziness.
- Do not drink alcohol when taking ephedrine.
- Do not use this medicine for longer than seven days consecutively unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
- Rarely, addiction is possible with this medication so don’t abuse it.
- Do not take ephedrine if you are taking diet pills.
- This medicine must be used with caution by the elderly.
Ephedrine should be used with caution if you suffer from the following conditions (first consult with your doctor or Clicks pharmacist):
- Kidney impairment
- Heart disease
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- Diabetes mellitus
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Closed-angle glaucoma (eye disorder that results in optic nerve damage)
- An enlarged prostate
- Porphyria (a group of rare genetic disorders that affect mainly the skin or nervous system)
What drug interactions could you experience?
To avoid adverse drug interactions, always inform your doctor or Clicks pharmacist what prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or planning to take.
What are ephedrine’s side effects?
Its side effects could include:
- A fast heartbeat when at rest
- An irregular heartbeat (fast or slow)
- Heart palpitations
- Tremors
- Dry mouth
- Cold extremities
- Insomnia
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
This is not a complete list of side effects. It’s essential that you call your doctor should you notice any severe or odd side effects.
What are the overdose symptoms?
Call your doctor or an ambulance immediately if you notice the following overdose symptoms:
- A very rapid heartbeat
- Fever
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures