Ephedrine

Ephedrine was first described in western literature in 1888, as a naturally occurring component of the ephedra plant, along with pseudoephedrine. Ephedrine acts as both a direct and indirect sympathomimetic. It is an alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor agonist; however, it also causes the indirect release of norepinephrine from sympathetic neurons, inhibiting norepinephrine reuptake and displacing more norepinephrine from storage vesicles. Ephedrine is used for its vasoconstrictive, positive chronotropic, and positive inotropic effects. Ephedrine and phenylephrine are still used to treat hypotension, but their use in other indications has decreased due to the development of more selective adrenergic agonists. Ephedrine was granted a type 7 FDA Approval on 29 April 2016.

Ephedrine intravenous injections are indicated to treat hypotension under anesthesia, ephedrine injections by multiple routes are indicated to treat allergic conditions such as bronchial asthma, ephedrine nasal spray is and OTC medication used as a decongestant.