From: goddard@cae.wisc.edu (Goddard Denis)
Subject: EPHEDRINE
Organization: U of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering
Date: 5 Sep 92 13:38:49 CDT
Summary: info for the masses
Keywords: ephedrine


 Hello. I've seen some discussion here about the OTC drug ephedrine. Having used it
myself (as I find it to be an exellent study/work enhancer), I've read quite
abit about it. The excerpt below was taken without permission: I hope someone
out there finds it interesting.

 -> always educate yourself before altering your body chemistry <-

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 from: _Drugs and Drug Abuse_, 2nd Ed., by: Cox, Jacobs, LeBlanc, Marshman,
and Fehr, 1987.



                  EPHEDRINE

Drug Class: CNS stimulant

 Ephedrine is a naturally occuring central nervous system stimulant obtained from
the plant _Ephedra equisetina_. It is now also produced by chemical synthesis, the
synthetic product being marketed in the form of its salt, ephedrine sulfate; it
occurs as a white crystalline powder with a bitter taste, soluble in water and very
soluble in alcohol. Ephedrine is closely related in structure to methamphetamine, 
although its CNS actions are much less potent and also longer-acting than those of
the amphetamines. Its peripheral stimulant actions are similar to but less powerful than
those of epinephrine (also called adrenaline), a hormone produced in the body by the
adrenal glands.
 
 Ephedrine has moderately potent bronchial muscle relaxant properties, and therefore
is used for symptomatic relief in milder cases of asthmatic attack; it is also used to
reduce the risk of acute attacks in the treatment of chronic asthma. The typical 
adult dose range is 30-60 mg taken orally, three to four times per day, in the form of
tablets. Ephedrine in the form of nose drops is also widely used to relieve nasal
congestion associated with upper respitory tract illnesses. It is also used to treat
low blood pressure, because it constricts blood vessels and stimulates certain actions 
of the heart. Common side effects are qualitatively similar to those produced by
amphetamines and are generally milder. Higher doses (overdose) can cause restlessness
and anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, tremor, rapid pulse, sweating, respiratory
difficulties, confusion, hallucinations, delerium, and (very infrequently) convulsions.
The most dangerous symptoms of overdose are abnormally high blood pressure and rapid, 
irregular heartbeat. A dose of ephedrine only two to three times the theraputic maximum
can cause a significant increase in blood pressure. The elderly are particularly 
sensitive to overdose, and there have been a few deaths among such patients. Finally,
a number of instances of psychosis, clinically similar to amphetamine psychosis, 
have resulted from chronic high-dose abuse; other effects of chronic abuse have not
been adequately studied.

 Tolerance develops to the main effects of ephedrine; however, temporary abstinence
restores sensitivity.

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 Interesting point to note is that the theraputic dose maximum of 60 mg is about
2 25mg pills (the common OTC strength), while 'dangerous' amounts would be
4 or more of the same pills.
 By the way, if you're going to use ephedrine more than once or twice, use a mail-order.
The OTC prices are outrageous: 100 pils @ 25mg each should NOT cost more than about $10.


 goddard


Newsgroups: alt.drugs