EPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS
INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS
Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take this medicine. It gives an outline of the more important things you should know. If you want to know more about this medicine, or if you are not sure about anything ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets contain the active ingredient ephedrine hydrochloride. The tablets are available in three strengths, 15mg, 30mg or 60mg.
The other ingredients in Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets are lactose, maize starch, acacia spray-dried, stearic acid and magnesium stearate.
Ephedrine Hydrochloride 15mg Tablets are white circular tabletsmarked E15 on one face and CP on the reverse.
Ephedrine Hydrochloride 30mg Tablets are white circular tablets marked E30 on one face and CP
on the reverse.
Ephedrine Hydrochloride 60mg Tablets are white circular tablets marked E60 on one face and CP
on the reverse.
Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets are available in polypropylene containers of 28 tablets.
HOW DOES YOUR MEDICINE WORK?
Ephedrine hydrochloride belongs to a group of medicines called bronchodilators, which open up
the airways and prevent or relieve wheezing.
WHAT ARE EPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS FOR?
Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets are used in adults and children to prevent or relieve wheezing
with asthma.
BEFORE TAKING THIS MEDICINE
You should not take Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets if:
♦ you have ever had a reaction to or been told that you are allergic to ephedrine or any of the
other ingredients in the tablets. Check by reading the list of ingredients above
♦ you have coronary heart disease
♦ you have high blood pressure
♦ you have an overactive thyroid gland
♦ you are pregnant or breast feeding (unless your doctor considers it essential)
♦ you have an enlarged prostate gland
♦ you are being treated for depression with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or have only recently
stopped taking them (within the last two weeks)
Taking another medicine while you are taking ephedrine can effect how it or the other medicine
works. Make sure that your doctor knows what other medicines you are taking. Do not take any
other medicines while you are taking Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets unless you have told your
doctor or pharmacist and asked their advice. This includes medicines you may have bought
yourself.
Examples of medicines that can react ephedrine hydrochloride are:
♦ Some drugs used to treat depression: Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and
dosulepin, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as phenelzine
♦ Beta-blockers and other drugs used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease such as
propranolol and atenolol
♦ Dexamethasone, a steroid
♦ Anaesthetics such as halothane
♦ Methysergide and ergotamine, used to treat migraine.
♦ Some drugs used to treat heart failure, such as digoxin
♦ Oxytocin, used to induce labour and prevent bleeding
♦ Agents used to make the urine more alkaline (such as potassium citrate) or more acid (ascorbic
acid)
If you have any doubts about whether you should take this medicine then talk to your doctor.
ADVICE WHEN TAKING EPHEDRINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS
Drinking alcohol whilst taking these tablets may effect how they work. Care should be taken if you suffer from diabetes, glaucoma or if you have kidney problems. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
TAKING THIS MEDICINE
The usual starting dose for adults is 15-60mg three times daily. For the elderly the starting dose should be half the adult dose. For children 1-5 years old the usual dose is 15mg three times daily
and for children 6-12 years old the dose is usually 30mg three times daily. The tablets are not recommended for children under 1 year of age.
Your doctor will decide the dose which is best for you. Always follow your doctor's instructions completely. Also follow any instructions or warnings which appear on the label which the pharmacist has put on the pack. If you do not understand, or are in any doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Unless instructed differently take the tablets with a glass of water.
You should take your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you to. If you forget to take a dose,
take another as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, then do not take the missed dose at all. Never double the next dose to make up for the one missed. If you accidentally take too many Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets you should contact your doctor, pharmacist or nearest hospital casualty department immediately. Take this leaflet and any
tablets you have left to show the doctor or pharmacist.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
Like many medicines, Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets may cause side-effects in some patients
particularly when you first start taking them. Side-effects that some patients have had with
Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets include feeling sick, restlessness, insomnia (difficulty in sleeping), anxiety, dry mouth, palpitations (more likely in the elderly), trembling, headaches and very rarely heart attack. You may experience poor circulation in the tips of your fingers and toes. If you have been taking Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets for a long time you may become dependent on them. In children ephedrine may cause bed-wetting, sleep problems or drowsiness.
If you experience any other side-effects or feel that the medicine is affecting you badly, tell your
doctor or pharmacist.
SAFE KEEPING FOR YOUR MEDICINE
♦ Do not take this medicine if the expiry date on the label has passed or if the tablets show signs
of "going of" such as discoloration.
♦ These tablets should not be stored above 25°C. Store in the original
container in order to protect from light.
♦ Keep Ephedrine Hydrochloride Tablets in a secure place out of the reach and sight of
children.
♦ Remember this medicine is for you only. Never give it to anyone else. It may harm them,
even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
♦ Unless your doctor tells you to, do not keep tablets that you no longer need. Give them back
to your pharmacist.
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