ABSTRACT
Ephedrine, given im/iv/sc, is indicated for the treatment of acute hypotensive states; treatment of Adams-Stokes syndrome with complete heart block; stimulation of the central nervous system (CNS) to combat
narcolepsy
and depressive states; treatment of acute bronchospasm; treatment of enuresis; treatment of
myasthenia gravis
. When given in nasal form, ephedrine is used in the treatment of nasal congestion; promotion of nasal or sinus drainage; or relief of
eustachian tube congestion
. The contraindications to ephedrine are angle-closure glaucoma; patients anes-
thetized with cyclopropane or halothane; cases in which vasopressor drugs are contraindicated (e.g., thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension of pregnancy); or treatment with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor therapy.
