Ephedrine

US Approved OTC

Details

Stereochemistry	ABSOLUTE
Molecular Formula	C10H15NO
Molecular Weight	165.2322
Optical Activity	( - )
Defined Stereocenters	2 / 2
E/Z Centers	0
Charge	0

SHOW SMILES / InChI

Structure Search

SMILES

CN[C@@H](C)[C@H](O)C1=CC=CC=C1

InChI

InChIKey=KWGRBVOPPLSCSI-WPRPVWTQSA-N

InChI=1S/C10H15NO/c1-8(11-2)10(12)9-6-4-3-5-7-9/h3-8,10-12H,1-2H3/t8-,10-/m0/s1

HIDE SMILES / InChI

Molecular Formula	C10H15NO
Molecular Weight	165.2322
Charge	0
Count

Stereochemistry	ABSOLUTE
Additional Stereochemistry	No
Defined Stereocenters	2 / 2
E/Z Centers	0
Optical Activity	UNSPECIFIED

Description
Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/208289s000lbl.pdf | https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/files/lee_0.pdf

Ephedrine (l-form) is an alkaloid, which was initially purified from Ephedra plant. The extract form Ephedra has been used in China for medicinal purposes for several thousand years. Ephedrine acts as an agonist at alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors and indirectly causes the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic neurons. The drug crosses the blood brain barrier and stimulates the central nervous system. Ephedrine products are now banned in many countries, as they are a major source for the production of the addictive compound methamphetamine. FDA has approved ephedrine only for the treatment of clinically important hypotension occurring in the setting of anesthesia.

CNS Activity

Originator

Approval Year

Targets

Primary Target	Pharmacology	Potency
Beta-2 adrenergic receptor 209 Target ID: P07550\|\|\|Q53GA6\|\|\|Q9UCZ3 Gene ID: 154.0 Gene Symbol: ADRB2 Target Organism: Homo sapiens (Human) Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/208289s000lbl.pdf	Agonist 2752	0.36 µM [EC50]
Adrenergic receptor alpha-1 171 Target ID: CHEMBL2094251 Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/208289s000lbl.pdf	Agonist 2752	4.95 null [pKi]
Beta-1 adrenergic receptor 163 Target ID: P08588 Gene ID: 153.0 Gene Symbol: ADRB1 Target Organism: Homo sapiens (Human) Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/208289s000lbl.pdf	Agonist 2752	0.5 µM [EC50]
Adrenergic receptor alpha-2 114 Target ID: CHEMBL2095158 Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/208289s000lbl.pdf	Agonist 2752	4.83 null [pKi]

Conditions

Condition	Modality	Targets	Highest Phase	Product
Anesthesia-induced hypotension 10 Sources: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/208289s000lbl.pdf	Primary		Approved 8583	AKOVAZ Approved Use AKOVAZ injection is an alpha- and beta- adrenergic agonist and a norepinephrine-releasing agent that is indicated for the treatment of clinically important hypotension occurring in the setting of anesthesia. Launch Date 2016

C_max

Value	Dose	Co-administered	Analyte	Population
79.4 ng/mL EXPERIMENT https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/973934/	22 mg single, oral dose: 22 mg route of administration: Oral experiment type: SINGLE co-administered:		EPHEDRINE plasma	Homo sapiens population: UNHEALTHY age: ADULT sex: UNKNOWN food status: UNKNOWN
87.4 ng/mL EXPERIMENT https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/973934/	11 mg 3 times / day multiple, oral dose: 11 mg route of administration: Oral experiment type: MULTIPLE co-administered:		EPHEDRINE plasma	Homo sapiens population: UNHEALTHY age: ADULT sex: UNKNOWN food status: UNKNOWN

T_1/2

Value	Dose	Co-administered	Analyte	Population
6.75 h EXPERIMENT https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/973934/	22 mg single, oral dose: 22 mg route of administration: Oral experiment type: SINGLE co-administered:		EPHEDRINE plasma	Homo sapiens population: UNHEALTHY age: ADULT sex: UNKNOWN food status: UNKNOWN
6.69 h EXPERIMENT https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/973934/	11 mg 3 times / day multiple, oral dose: 11 mg route of administration: Oral experiment type: MULTIPLE co-administered:		EPHEDRINE plasma	Homo sapiens population: UNHEALTHY age: ADULT sex: UNKNOWN food status: UNKNOWN

Sourcing

Vendor/Aggregator	ID	URL
Achemtek	0104-020654	http://www.achemtek.com/299-42-3
Acorn PharmaTech	ACN-037777	http://www.acornpharmatech.com/
Aurora Fine Chemicals LLC	A17.887.833	http://online.aurorafinechemicals.com/info?ID=A17.887.833
BioSynth	J-500280	https://www.biosynth.com/en/products/all-products/products/J-500280.html
Capot Chemical	PubChem5778	http://www.capotchem.com/en/5778.htm
Chem Scene	CS-4802	http://www.chemscene.com/Ephedrine.html
ChemMol	99067321	http://www.chemmol.com/chemmol/99067321.html
iChemical	EBD2203043	http://www.ichemical.com/products/299-42-3.html?utm_source=PubChem&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=product%20catalogs
mcule	MCULE-1217859840	https://mcule.com/MCULE-1217859840/
MedChem Express	HY-B1195	http://www.medchemexpress.com/Ephedrine.html
OChem	2694	http://www.ocheminc.com/index.php?act=psearch&pid=299E423
Parchem	26857	http://www.parchem.com/chemical-supplier-distributor/Ephedrine-016857.aspx
Sigma-Aldrich	134910_ALDRICH	https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/aldrich/134910?utm_source=pubchem&utm_campaign=pubchem_2017&utm_medium=referral
Smolecule	S007941	http://www.smolecule.com/products/s007941
Smolecule	S527246	http://www.smolecule.com/products/s527246
THE BioTek	bt-255443	https://www.thebiotek.com/product/inhibitors/bt-255443
THE BioTek	bt-267449	https://www.thebiotek.com/product/inhibitors/bt-267449

PubMed

Title	Date	PubMed
Pharmacologic options available to treat symptomatic intradialytic hypotension.	2001-10	11602458
The anesthetic management of triplet cesarean delivery: a retrospective case series of maternal outcomes.	2001-10	11574371
High performance liquid chromatography with UV detection for the simultaneous determination of sympathomimetic amines using 4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole-2-yl)benzoyl chloride as a label.	2001-10	11559922
[Risk management by reporting critical incidents. Vitamin K and ephedrine mix-up at a birthing unit].	2001-09-24	11590951
Rapid chiral on-chip separation with simplified amperometric detection.	2001-09-14	11587341
Effect of sympathetic reinnervation on cardiac performance after heart transplantation.	2001-09-06	11547742
Simultaneous quantitation of ephedrines in urine by gas chromatography-nitrogen-phosphorus detection for doping control purposes.	2001-09-05	11530984
Time-controlled release pseudoephedrine tablets: bioavailability and in vitro/in vivo correlations.	2001-09	11593992
Phenylephrine added to prophylactic ephedrine infusion during spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section.	2001-09	11575540
Separation and determination of ephedrine alkaloids and tetramethylpyrazine in Ephedra sinica Stapf by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.	2001-09	11565946
What constitutes an effective but safe initial dose of lidocaine to test a thoracic epidural catheter?	2001-09	11524351
Treatment of erectile dysfunction with sildenafil citrate (Viagra) in parkinsonism due to Parkinson's disease or multiple system atrophy with observations on orthostatic hypotension.	2001-09	11511713
Studying the neuronal side of the synaptic cleft. A tool for investigating the paradox of sympathetic nervous system and heart failure in dilated cardiomyopathy.	2001-09	11492981
Kinetic spectrophotometric methods for the quantitation of triprolidine in bulk and in drug formulations.	2001-09	11470203
Use of nonprescription weight loss products: results from a multistate survey.	2001-08-31	11509057
The trouble with fat-burner pills.	2001-08-27	11534484
Continuous production of (R)-phenylacetylcarbinol in an enzyme-membrane reactor using a potent mutant of pyruvate decarboxylase from Zymomonas mobilis.	2001-08-20	11410856
Application of carboxymethyl-beta-cyclodextrin as a chiral selector in capillary electrophoresis for enantiomer separation of selected neurotransmitters.	2001-08-17	11556337
Asymmetric synthesis of chiral organofluorine compounds: use of nonracemic fluoroiodoacetic acid as a practical electrophile and its application to the synthesis of monofluoro hydroxyethylene dipeptide isosteres within a novel series of HIV protease inhibitors.	2001-08-01	11472148
Intrathecal anaesthesia for the elderly patient: the influence of the induction position on perioperative haemodynamic stability and patient comfort.	2001-08	11512648
Role of the atrial natriuretic factor in obstetric spinal hypotension.	2001-08	11506108
Comparison of metaraminol and ephedrine infusions for maintaining arterial pressure during spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section.	2001-08	11506099
Dose of prophylactic intravenous ephedrine during spinal anesthesia for cesarean section.	2001-08	11498318
Prevention and management of hypotension during spinal anaesthesia for elective Caesarean section: a survey of practice.	2001-08	11493248
Hypokalemic metabolic acidosis attributed to cough mixture abuse.	2001-08	11479167
Effect of caffeine and ephedrine ingestion on anaerobic exercise performance.	2001-08	11474345
Determination of ephedrines in urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.	2001-07-15	11486842
The effect of betahistine on vestibular habituation: comparison of rotatory and sway habituation training.	2001-07	11583395
Pre-filled ephedrine syringes.	2001-07	11463045
The olfactory G protein G(alphaolf) possesses a lower GDP-affinity and deactivates more rapidly than G(salphashort): consequences for receptor-coupling and adenylyl cyclase activation.	2001-07	11461968
A stable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis system to characterize Ma Huang products found in health foods and supplements.	2001-07	11458341
New observations on the secondary chemistry of world Ephedra (Ephedraceae).	2001-07	11454619
Reappearance of cardiac presynaptic sympathetic nerve terminals in the transplanted heart: correlation between PET using (11)C-hydroxyephedrine and invasively measured norepinephrine release.	2001-07	11438620
Determination of ephedrine-type alkaloids in dietary supplements by LC/MS using a stable-isotope labeled internal standard.	2001-06-22	11417640
Perioperative bradycardia and asystole: relationship to vasovagal syncope and the Bezold-Jarisch reflex.	2001-06	11573596
Spinal anaesthesia for Caesarean section with bupivacaine 5 mg ml(-1) in glucose 8 or 80 mg ml(-1).	2001-06	11573587
Hypotension in spinal anesthesia for cesarean section: a comparison of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine and 5% hyperbaric lidocaine.	2001-06	11529341
Cold-syrup induced movement disorder.	2001-06	11437145
It's a rave new world: rave culture and illicit drug use in the young.	2001-06	11405616
Nutritional supplements as a source for positive doping cases?	2001-06	11402257
Extra-strong graduated compression stocking reduces usage of vasopressor agents during spinal anesthesia for cesarean section.	2001-05	11409475
Stimulatory effect of D-ephedrine on beta3-adrenoceptors in adipose tissue of rats.	2001-04-12	11474539
Recurrent ischaemic colitis associated with pseudoephedrine use.	2001-04	11478350
Evaluation of pre-emptive intramuscular phenylephrine and ephedrine for reduction of spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension during Caesarean section.	2001-03	11573527
Comparison of effects of remifentanil and alfentanil on cardiovascular response to tracheal intubation in hypertensive patients.	2001-01	11575417
Caffeine and exercise: metabolism, endurance and performance.	2001	11583104
Effects of two atypical neuroleptics, olanzapine and risperidone, on the function of the urinary bladder and the external urethral sphincter in anesthetized rats.	2001	11580866
Prevention of generalized reactions to contrast media: a consensus report and guidelines.	2001	11511894
A history of nebulization.	2001	11495487
New imaging techniques for cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy: a window on the heart.	2001	11469712

Patents

Sample Use Guides

In Vivo Use Guide

The recommended dosages for the treatment of clinically important hypotension in the setting of anesthesia is an initial dose of 5 to 10 mg administered by intravenous bolus. Administer additional boluses as needed, not to exceed a total dosage of 50 mg.

Route of Administration: Intravenous

In Vitro Use Guide

Segments of guinea-pig ileum were treated with 10(-6)-10(-3) M ephedrine. Ephedrine inhibited the ileal responses to transmural stimulation in the terminal and the proximal ileum with EC50 values of 57.2 and 85.5 uM, respectively. In the proximal part of the ileum, more than 70% of preparations were relaxed by ephedrine.

Substance Class	Chemical Created by `admin` on `Mon Mar 31 18:45:16 GMT 2025` Edited by `admin` on `Mon Mar 31 18:45:16 GMT 2025`
Record UNII	GN83C131XS
Record Status	`Validated (UNII)`
Record Version

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Name

Type

Language

Ephedrine

Common Name

English

EPHEDRINE, ANHYDROUS

Preferred Name

English

(R-(R*,S*))-.ALPHA.-(1-(METHYLAMINO)ETHYL)BENZENEMETHANOL [WHO-IP]

Systematic Name

English

EPHEDRINE, ANHYDROUS [WHO-IP]

Common Name

English

EPHEDRINE [USP MONOGRAPH]

Common Name

English

EPHEDRINE [VANDF]

Common Name

English

EPHEDRINE [EP MONOGRAPH]

Common Name

English

PSEUDOEPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE IMPURITY A [EP IMPURITY]

Common Name

English

EPHEDRINE [MI]

Common Name

English

NSC-170951

Code

English

(1R,2S)-2-METHYLAMINO-1-PHENYLPROPAN-1-OL

Systematic Name

English

EPHEDRINUM, ANHYDROUS [WHO-IP LATIN]

Common Name

English

NSC-8971

Code

English

EPHEDRINE [MART.]

Common Name

English

XENADRINE

Common Name

English

L-ERYTHRO-2-(METHYLAMINO)-1-PHENYLPROPAN-1-OL

Common Name

English

BENZENEMETHANOL, .ALPHA.-(1-(METHYLAMINO)ETHYL)-, (R-(R*,S*))-

Common Name

English

L-EPHEDRINE

Common Name

English

(-)-EPHEDRINE

Common Name

English

EPHEDRINE [HSDB]

Common Name

English

Ephedrine [WHO-DD]

Common Name

English

Classification Tree Code System Code

WHO-ATC

S01FB02