DBL Ephedrine Sulfate (Ephedrine Sulfate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Used For?
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate is a prescription injection that contains ephedrine sulfate as its active ingredient. It’s a type of medicine called a sympathomimetic agent, which may also be referred to as a pressor when used to raise blood pressure.
Primary Uses
This medication is used to treat some forms of shock, low blood pressure that occurs when a local anesthetic is given around the spinal cord, and in the treatment of asthma and spasm of the airways.
How It Works
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate works by activating the sympathetic nervous system, which leads to relaxation of the muscles in your airway, contraction of blood vessels, and stimulation of the heart.
How DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Is Given
This medication is only given by healthcare professionals in a medical setting. You cannot take this medication yourself at home.
Administration Method
Your doctor will give you DBL Ephedrine Sulfate by injection into a muscle, vein, or under the skin. Your doctor will decide how much you will be given and for how long based on your specific medical condition.
Important: Doses are carefully calculated and given by doctors experienced in its use, and you will be monitored carefully during treatment.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Pale skin
- Fever or sweating
- Headache
- Dry nose, mouth and throat
- Difficulty sleeping
- Mood changes, irritability, nervousness, restlessness
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Difficult or painful urination
- Feeling sick, upset stomach or vomiting
- Pain or pressure in the chest
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
- Abnormal thoughts or confusion
- Signs of allergic reaction: shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where DBL Ephedrine Sulfate should not be used, and others where special caution is needed.
Who Should Not Take DBL Ephedrine Sulfate
Do not use this medication if you have: an allergy to ephedrine sulfate; closed angle glaucoma (a buildup of pressure in the eye due to a blockage); pheochromocytoma (a rare tumor of the adrenal gland); certain problems with the heart or heart rate; an anxiety disorder including obsessive behaviors; or if you are taking or have taken monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors within the last 14 days, such as phenelzine or tranylcypromine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: kidney problems or weakness, tiredness, dizziness and increased thirst; too much acid in your blood (metabolic acidosis) causing nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and breathlessness; lung problems or difficulty breathing; problems with your heart, including angina; high blood pressure; overactive thyroid; diabetes; or problems urinating or prostate problems if you are a man.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. DBL Ephedrine Sulfate has been shown to pass into breast milk, so discuss breastfeeding during this period with your doctor.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may affect or be affected by DBL Ephedrine Sulfate. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking.
- Alpha blockers or beta blockers and other medicines used to treat high blood pressure (e.g., prazosin, propranolol, methyldopa, clonidine)
- Medicines used to manage depression such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, dothiepin, imipramine)
- Medicines to make urine less acidic (e.g., acetazolamide, dichlorphenamide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate)
- Medicines used during anesthesia (e.g., inhalation anesthetics)
- Medicines used to treat heart failure (e.g., digoxin)
- Theophylline, used to treat asthma and other related lung problems
Alcohol & Driving
Your doctor will provide specific guidance about when it’s safe to drive or operate machinery after receiving this medication.
Alcohol
No specific information is available about alcohol interactions with this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to drive and operate potentially dangerous machinery after you have been given DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection. There is no specific information on the effects of this medicine on a person’s ability to drive and use machines.
Storage
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection will be stored appropriately at the hospital. Hospital staff will dispose of any leftover medication properly.
Overdose Information
Since doses are carefully calculated and given by experienced doctors with careful monitoring, it is extremely unlikely that you will be given too much. Signs of too much medication include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, emotional changes, hallucinations, blurred vision, chest pain or problems breathing. Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication works by activating the sympathetic nervous system, but the specific onset time is not mentioned in the available information. Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to assess effectiveness.
The available information does not specifically address addiction potential. Discuss any concerns about dependency with your healthcare provider.
You should check with your doctor if you are pregnant. The medication should only be used during pregnancy if your doctor determines it’s necessary for your treatment.
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate has been shown to pass into breast milk. You should discuss breastfeeding during this treatment period with your doctor.
You should remind any doctor or nurse that you have been given DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection, as this information may be important for other treatments or procedures.
The hospital will appropriately store and dispose of this medicine. You don’t need to worry about storage or disposal as this is handled by healthcare professionals.
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate is a sympathomimetic agent that works by activating the sympathetic nervous system, leading to relaxation of airway muscles, contraction of blood vessels, and stimulation of the heart. It may also be referred to as a pressor when used to raise blood pressure.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.