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Ephedrine Injection (Ephedrine Sulfate) - Warnings and Precautions

 
 



PRECAUTIONS

GENERAL - Special care should be used when administering Ephedrine Sulfate Injection, USP to patients with heart disease, angina pectoris, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, prostatic hypertrophy or hypertension and to patients receiving digitalis. Prolonged use may produce a syndrome resembling an anxiety state. Tolerance to ephedrine sulfate may develop, but temporary discontinuance to the drug restores its original effectiveness.

DRUG INTERACTIONS - Concurrent use of ephedrine sulfate with general anesthetics, especially cyclopropane or halogenated hydrocarbons or digitalis glycosides may cause cardiac arrhythmias, since these medications may sensitize the myocardium to the effects of ephedrine sulfate.

Therapeutic doses of ephedrine sulfate can inhibit the hypotensive effect of guanethidine, bethanidine, and debrisoquin by displacing the adrenergic blockers from their site of action in the sympathetic neurons. The effect in man is seen as a relative or a complete blockade of the antihypertensive drug by a sudden rise in blood pressure. Concomitant use of Ephedrine Sulfate Injection, USP and oxytocics may cause severe hypotension.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors may potentiate the pressor effect of ephedrine sulfate, possibly resulting in a hypertensive crisis. Ephedrine Sulfate Injection, USP should not be administered during or within 14 days following the administration of MAO inhibitors.

PREGNANCY CATEGORY C - Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Ephedrine Sulfate Injection. USP Also, it is not known whether the drug can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Ephedrine Sulfate Injection, USP should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly indicated.

It is not known what effect Ephedrine Sulfate Injection, USP may have on the newborn or on the child's later growth and development when the drug is administered to the mother just before or during labor.

NURSING MOTHERS - Ephedrine sulfate is excreted in breast milk. Use by nursing mothers is not recommended because of the higher than usual risks for infants.

Page last updated: 2012-01-05

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