Ephedrine

alpha-Adrenergic Agonist — ALIMENTARY TRACT AND METABOLISM

Key facts

Ephedrine is an ofp drug in the alpha-Adrenergic Agonist class catalogued in DrugCentral. Its mechanism of action is classified as Adrenergic alpha-Agonists and Adrenergic beta-Agonists. DrugCentral lists 1 molecular target, including ADRB2. Recorded indications include Allergic conjunctivitis, Allergic rhinitis, Bronchitis and Bronchospasm.

• Approval status: ofp.
• Drug class: alpha-Adrenergic Agonist; beta-Adrenergic Agonist.
• Mechanism of action: Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; Adrenergic beta-Agonists.
• Molecular targets: ADRB2 (1 listed in DrugCentral).
• Indications: Allergic conjunctivitis, Allergic rhinitis, Bronchitis, Bronchospasm and Common cold and others.
• ATC code: A08AA56 (Centrally acting antiobesity products).
• Molecular formula: C10H15NO; molecular weight 165.24 g/mol.

Indications & contraindications

Drug–disease relationships curated by DrugCentral (OMOP / SNOMED concepts).

Indications (14)

• Allergic conjunctivitis
• Allergic rhinitis
• Bronchitis
• Bronchospasm
• Common cold
• Headache disorder
• Influenza-like symptoms
• Nasal congestion
• Nasal discharge
• Rhinitis
• Seasonal allergic rhinitis
• Sinus headache
• Sneezing
• Vasomotor rhinitis

Contraindications (86)

• Abnormal vasomotor function
• Achalasia of esophagus
• Acidosis
• Acute abdominal pain
• Acute exacerbation of asthma
• Acute hepatitis
• Acute nephropathy
• Acute pancreatitis
• Acute Thromboembolic Stroke
• Acute tuberculosis
• Alcohol intoxication
• Alcohol withdrawal delirium
• Alcoholism
• Anemia
• Angina pectoris
• Angle-closure glaucoma
• Arterial thrombosis
• Arteriosclerotic vascular disease
• Asthenia
• Atony of colon
• Autonomic dysreflexia
• Benign intracranial hypertension
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Bladder outflow obstruction
• Bleeding
• Blood coagulation disorder
• Body fluid retention
• Bradycardia
• Brain damage
• Breastfeeding (mother)
• + 56 more

Mechanism & targets

• Mechanism of action (MoA): Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; Adrenergic beta-Agonists
• Established pharmacologic class: alpha-Adrenergic Agonist; beta-Adrenergic Agonist; Norepinephrine Releasing Agent

Molecular targets (1)

Target	Gene	Action	Activity
Beta-2 adrenergic receptor	ADRB2	agonist	Ki 5.60

Regulatory approvals (1)

Date	Agency	Marketed as	Applicant	Orphan
—	FDA	—	—

ATC classification

ATC code	Therapeutic hierarchy
A08AA56	ALIMENTARY TRACT AND METABOLISM › ANTIOBESITY PREPARATIONS, EXCL. DIET PRODUCTS › ANTIOBESITY PREPARATIONS, EXCL. DIET PRODUCTS › Centrally acting antiobesity products
C01CA26	CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM › CARDIAC THERAPY › CARDIAC STIMULANTS EXCL. CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES › Adrenergic and dopaminergic agents
R01AA03	RESPIRATORY SYSTEM › NASAL PREPARATIONS › DECONGESTANTS AND OTHER NASAL PREPARATIONS FOR TOPICAL USE › Sympathomimetics, plain
R01AB05	RESPIRATORY SYSTEM › NASAL PREPARATIONS › DECONGESTANTS AND OTHER NASAL PREPARATIONS FOR TOPICAL USE › Sympathomimetics, combinations excl. corticosteroids
R03CA02	RESPIRATORY SYSTEM › DRUGS FOR OBSTRUCTIVE AIRWAY DISEASES › ADRENERGICS FOR SYSTEMIC USE › Alpha- and beta-adrenoreceptor agonists
S01FB02	SENSORY ORGANS › OPHTHALMOLOGICALS › MYDRIATICS AND CYCLOPLEGICS › Sympathomimetics excl. antiglaucoma preparations

Reported adverse-event signals

Strongest FDA FAERS disproportionality signals (log-likelihood ratio). A signal is a statistical association in spontaneous reports, not proof that the drug causes the event.

MedDRA term	LLR
Anaphylactic shock	267.6
Bradycardia	151.8
Hypotension	151.4
Maternal exposure during delivery	146.6
Cardiac arrest	115.1
Anterior spinal artery syndrome	113.6
Anaphylactic reaction	111.3
Toxicity to various agents	103.3
Drug abuse	96.9
Eosinophilia	76.3
Stress cardiomyopathy	75.9
Cardio-respiratory arrest	75.2

Chemical structure

Full physicochemical, ADMET and 3D-structure analysis of Ephedrine is on its molecule page.

• Molecular formula: C₁₀H₁₅NO
• Molecular weight: 165.24 g/mol
• CAS number: 299-42-3
• InChIKey: KWGRBVOPPLSCSI-WPRPVWTQSA-N
• PubChem CID: 9294

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

Frequently asked questions

Answers are generated from the structured data on this page, not written by hand.

What is Ephedrine used for?

DrugCentral lists the following indications for Ephedrine: Allergic conjunctivitis, Allergic rhinitis, Bronchitis, Bronchospasm, Common cold, Headache disorder, Influenza-like symptoms and Nasal congestion and others.

How does Ephedrine work?

Ephedrine is classified as Adrenergic alpha-Agonists and Adrenergic beta-Agonists; its molecular targets in DrugCentral include ADRB2 (agonist).

What drug class does Ephedrine belong to?

Ephedrine is in the alpha-Adrenergic Agonist class.

What is the chemical formula of Ephedrine?

Ephedrine has the molecular formula C10H15NO and a molecular weight of 165.24 g/mol.

Sources

• DrugCentral drug card 1024 — structure, indications, targets, approvals, pharmacologic classes (CC BY-SA 4.0)
• ChEMBL CHEMBL1523964 — compound record and bioactivity
• PubChem CID 9294 — chemical identifiers
• DrugBank DB01364 — drug record
• FDA UNII GN83C131XS — substance identity
• DailyMed: FDA labels for Ephedrine — current prescribing information (label search)
• UniProt P07550 (ADRB2) — target protein
• FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (openFDA FAERS) — adverse-event signals, as aggregated by DrugCentral

How this page is built: methodology · editorial policy & corrections.