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Ephedrine
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<p>Ephedrine is a <a href="/facts/Central_nervous_system/k8I6To97">central nervous system</a> (CNS) <a href="/facts/Stimulant/nmBdAXM5">stimulant</a> and <a href="/facts/Sympathomimetic_agent/IEYU5ERW">sympathomimetic agent</a> that is often used to prevent <a href="/facts/Hypotension/BhrdVVRS">low blood pressure</a> during <a href="/facts/Anesthesia/b3MKVn8E">anesthesia</a>. It has also been used for <a href="/facts/Asthma/7GkJvxn3">asthma</a>, <a href="/facts/Narcolepsy/YfQFgVbd">narcolepsy</a>, and <a href="/facts/Obesity/RBF9y5Vl">obesity</a> but is not the preferred treatment. It is of unclear benefit in <a href="/facts/Nasal_congestion/xClWzxrg">nasal congestion</a>. It can be taken <a href="/facts/Oral_administration/vNQcvLVx">by mouth</a> or by <a href="/facts/Intramuscular/PPNwW2wB">injection into a muscle</a>, <a href="/facts/Intravenous/AwwuD3Nu">vein</a>, or <a href="/facts/Subcutaneous_injection/L4srK61u">just under the skin</a>. Onset with intravenous use is fast, while injection into a muscle can take 20 minutes, and by mouth can take an hour for effect. When given by injection, it lasts about an hour, and when taken by mouth, it can last up to four hours. </p><p>Common <a href="/facts/Side_effect/PhuX2haY">side effects</a> include <a href="/facts/Insomnia/C1TnQTb2">trouble sleeping</a>, <a href="/facts/Anxiety/Geekl883">anxiety</a>, <a href="/facts/Headache/mdmmC9DP">headache</a>, <a href="/facts/Hallucination/5eUvLcnp">hallucinations</a>, <a href="/facts/Hypertension/wlAvBfcf">high blood pressure</a>, <a href="/facts/Tachycardia/ycmyzP7q">fast heart rate</a>, <a href="/facts/Decreased_appetite/G7RsaXp9">loss of appetite</a>, and <a href="/facts/Urinary_retention/YvTCprKk">urinary retention</a>. Serious side effects include <a href="/facts/Stroke/DwpjdzY0">stroke</a> and <a href="/facts/Myocardial_infarction/xoGw0qcG">heart attack</a>. While probably safe in <a href="/facts/Pregnancy/vEKYGpep">pregnancy</a>, its use in this population is poorly studied. Use during <a href="/facts/Breastfeeding/cdWXyYDX">breastfeeding</a> is not recommended. Ephedrine works by <a href="/facts/Norepinephrine_releasing_agent/Ua8s5KKG">inducing the release of norepinephrine</a> and hence indirectly activating the <a href="/facts/%CE%91-adrenergic_receptor/uoAeJbcN">α-</a> and <a href="/facts/%CE%92-adrenergic_receptor/uoAeJbcN">β-adrenergic receptors</a>. Chemically, ephedrine is a <a href="/facts/Substituted_amphetamine/KlmrodPb">substituted amphetamine</a> and is the (1<i>R</i>,2<i>S</i>)-<a href="/facts/Enantiomer/wjPv5J3y">enantiomer</a> of <a href="/facts/Hydroxymethylamphetamine/qTaxI28c">β-hydroxy-<i>N</i>-methylamphetamine</a>. </p><p>Ephedrine was first <a href="/facts/Chemical_isolate/fSh2XHfh">isolated</a> in 1885 and came into commercial use in 1926. It is on the <a href="/facts/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>. It is available as a <a href="/facts/Generic_medication/IF6AXDVX">generic medication</a>. It can normally be found in plants of the <i><a href="/facts/Ephedra_(plant)/P4QTfalE">Ephedra</a></i> genus. <a href="/facts/Over-the-counter_drug/QI3FcgRf">Over-the-counter</a> <a href="/facts/Dietary_supplement/SHXNNxaS">dietary supplements</a> containing ephedrine are illegal in the United States, with the exception of those used in <a href="/facts/Traditional_Chinese_medicine/51rSRXua">traditional Chinese medicine</a>, where its presence is noted by <a href="/facts/Ephedra_(plant)/P4QTfalE"><i>má huáng</i></a>. </p>