ephedrine

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michael - 04 Nov 2003 08:26 GMT

I do not hear anymore of ephedrine being used as a treatment for asthma. I
think it was very commonly used as a bronchodilator but was eventually
replaced by drugs such as salbutamol. Not long ago I heard that long term
use of salbutamol and related drugs may have a bad effect on lungs and
wondered if this meant ephedrine, which has a different mode of action, was
now again being considered as a useful bronchodilator.

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Colin Campbell - 04 Nov 2003 16:09 GMT

>I do not hear anymore of ephedrine being used as a treatment for asthma. I
>think it was very commonly used as a bronchodilator but was eventually
>replaced by drugs such as salbutamol. Not long ago I heard that long term
>use of salbutamol and related drugs may have a bad effect on lungs and
>wondered if this meant ephedrine, which has a different mode of action, was
>now again being considered as a useful bronchodilator.

Over-usage of bronchodilators can lead to them becoming less
effective. They will not have a 'bad effect' just less of the desired
effect.

Ephedrine/ephenephrine are obsolete medications that do not work as
well as the current medications and have a very poor safety profile.
In fact there are efforts in the US to ban both these drugs since the
dangers outweigh the benefits.

--
There can be no triumph without loss.
No victory without suffering.
No freedom without sacrifice.

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cindimobxnc@earthlink.net - 15 Nov 2003 19:11 GMT

>Ephedrine/ephenephrine are obsolete medications that do not work as
>well as the current medications and have a very poor safety profile.
>In fact there are efforts in the US to ban both these drugs since the
>dangers outweigh the benefits.

I tried a diet pill one time that had ephedra in it. I was so jumpy
and jittery that I decided NO MORE.

Cindi

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CBI - 04 Nov 2003 19:41 GMT

> I do not hear anymore of ephedrine being used as a treatment for asthma. I
> think it was very commonly used as a bronchodilator but was eventually
> replaced by drugs such as salbutamol. Not long ago I heard that long term
> use of salbutamol and related drugs may have a bad effect on lungs and
> wondered if this meant ephedrine, which has a different mode of action, was
> now again being considered as a useful bronchodilator.

Ephedrine does not have a different mechanism of action. It is just
less specific tothe lungs and so would expect to be less well
tolerated.

Signature

CBI, MD

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Bob - 04 Nov 2003 21:12 GMT

Yesterday, 11-4-03, New York became the most recent state to ban
ephedra. The law, signed by Gov. George Pataki, includes a fine of up
to $500 for each sale of ephedra. Of course, ephedra's prescription
sales in New York are not effected by this law.

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Bob - 04 Nov 2003 22:38 GMT

>>I do not hear anymore of ephedrine being used as a treatment for asthma. I
>>think it was very commonly used as a bronchodilator but was eventually
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>to $500 for each sale of ephedra. Of course, ephedra's prescription
>sales in New York are not effected by this law.

Oops, correction. That was 11-3-03 that the new law was passed. Boy
how time flies when you're having fun. :)

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Immuno - 05 Nov 2003 01:39 GMT

Ephedrine and its supposed "replacement" Isoprenaline were NOT very pleasant
drugs!

Both are strong beta-1 agonists, I can still remember how ephedrine used to
make my heart go THUMPATA-THUMPATA! And that awful "jittery" feeling. The
thought of CHOOSING to use it........................UGH!

Then came isoprenaline. They reckon 3-4000 British children were killed
using it in the early to mid-sixties ...bit too much of a close call, that
one :o(
It used to give me the most awful headaches, especially in the mornings,
after a bad night (over) using it.

........ Good old days? - NOPE

> >>I do not hear anymore of ephedrine being used as a treatment for asthma. I
> >>think it was very commonly used as a bronchodilator but was eventually
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Oops, correction. That was 11-3-03 that the new law was passed. Boy
> how time flies when you're having fun. :)

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wayne llewelyn - 05 Nov 2003 08:11 GMT

But surely, when ephedrine was used, it was tablet form only, most of the
side effects would not be there if it was delivered in the form of an
earolsol, direct to the lungs.

> Ephedrine and its supposed "replacement" Isoprenaline were NOT very pleasant
> drugs!
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> > Oops, correction. That was 11-3-03 that the new law was passed. Boy
> > how time flies when you're having fun. :)

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Colin Campbell - 05 Nov 2003 16:27 GMT

>But surely, when ephedrine was used, it was tablet form only, most of the
>side effects would not be there if it was delivered in the form of an
>earolsol, direct to the lungs.

Even the aerosol form has excessive side effects. remember that
albuterol is selective for the beta2 receptor sites. ephedrine is not
selective and will activate the alpha sites also - producing the
potential for heart problems.

--
There can be no triumph without loss.
No victory without suffering.
No freedom without sacrifice.

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Immuno - 05 Nov 2003 20:34 GMT

You are correct, ephedrine was used in tablet form (and damn bitter they
were too!).

However leaving aside side-effect considerations - the vast bulk of inhaled
drugs still end up being swallowed, and delivered systemically.

:o) couldn't help note the typo - ...no you don't put it in your ear either
:o)

Pete

> But surely, when ephedrine was used, it was tablet form only, most of the
> side effects would not be there if it was delivered in the form of an
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
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> Version: 6.0.534 / Virus Database: 329 - Release Date: 31/10/03

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