Ephedrine

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What is Ephedrine?

Ephedrine is a medication that boosts your body’s response in situations like low blood pressure during anesthesia, allergies, asthma, and nasal congestion by activating certain receptors, helping you breathe easier and regulate your blood pressure. It’s like a versatile tool that steps in when your body needs a little extra help to keep things running smoothly.

Overall Risk:

Occasional use may not pose significant risks, but avoid excessive exposure.

Concern:
Tachycardia, hypertension
Severity:

Major, Minor

Risk of OD:
Increased

Ephedrineused as cutting agent forCocaine

Heart failure and hypertension can be caused by the combination of Cocaine and Ephedrine due to their stimulant properties that put extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, leading to these conditions over time. Their stimulant effects compound each other leading to a higher risk of adverse effects and overdose.

Why it's used as a cutting substance?

Ephedrine, a type of drug that acts like the natural chemicals in your body that make you feel alert and active, can make the effects of cocaine stronger.

Interaction

These two agents are known to produce tachycardia, and therefore, using them together is not advised because their effects can combine and intensify.

Short-term effects

  • Increased alertness and energy (synergistic with cocaine).
  • Dizziness, decreased appetite, stomach upset, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty sleeping

Long-term effects

  • In some cases can lead to heart failure, irregular heartbeat, psychosis, and even strokes

Sources

  1. Ephedrine: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action | DrugBank Online
  2. EPHEDRINE AND COCAINE SYNERGY | JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery | JAMA Network
  3. Hernandez M, Birnbach DJ, Van Zundert AA: Anesthetic management of the illicit-substance-using patient. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2005 Jun;18(3):315-24. doi: 10.1097/01.aco.0000169241.21680.0b. [Article]
  4. Marano G, Traversi G, Romagnoli E, Catalano V, Lotrionte M, Abbate A, Biondi-Zoccai G, Mazza M: Cardiologic side effects of psychotropic drugs. J Geriatr Cardiol. 2011 Dec;8(4):243-53. doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1263.2011.00243. [Article]
  5. Keary CJ, Nejad SH, Rasimas JJ, Stern TA: Intoxications associated with agitation, tachycardia, hypertension, and Fever: differential diagnosis, evaluation, and management. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2013;15(3). pii: 12f01459. doi: 10.4088/PCC.12f01459. Epub 2013 May 16. [Article]
  6. Fauchier JP, Fauchier L, Babuty D, Breuillac JC, Cosnay P, Rouesnel P: [Drug-induced ventricular tachycardia]. Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss. 1993 May;86(5 Suppl):757-67. [Article]
  7. Behr ER, Roden D: Drug-induced arrhythmia: pharmacogenomic prescribing? Eur Heart J. 2013 Jan;34(2):89-95. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehs351. Epub 2012 Oct 22. [Article

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