Asmaphen
Cheaper & Alternative Brands
Same generic (Ephedrine Hydrochloride), same form (Tablet)No other brands currently registered with this exact active generic and dosage form.
Clinical Prescribing Information
Medical monograph and safety information for healthcare professionals & patients.Indications & Clinical Uses
Asmaphen is indicated to reverse hypotension induced by spinal or epidural anaesthesia. It is of little value in hypotensive crisis due to shock, circulatory collapse, or haemorrhage.
Dosage & Administration
To reverse hypotension induced by spinal or epidural anaesthesia 3 to 6 mg (or at most 9 mg) Ephedrine Hydrochloride is given by slow intravenous injection and repeated every 3 to 4 minutes as required; the maximum total dose is 30 mg. Ephedrine has also been given by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.
Contraindications
The use of Ephedrine is contraindicated in the presence of coronary thrombosis. It should be used with caution in patients with organic heart disease, cardiac decompensation, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, and angina pectoris, and in patients receiving digitalis.
Side Effects & Adverse Reactions
Adverse effects reported are nausea, vomiting, anorexia; tachycardia (sometimes bradycardia), arrhythmias, anginal pain, vasoconstriction with hypertension, vasodilation with hypotension, dizziness and flushing; dyspnoea; headache, anxiety, restlessness, confusion, psychoses, insomnia, tremor; difficulty in micturition, urine retention; sweating, hypersalivation; changes in blood-glucose concentration; very rarely angle-closure glaucoma.
Warnings & Precautions
Asmaphen should be given with care to patients with hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, renal impairment, or angle-close glaucoma. In patients with prostatic enlargement, Asmaphen may increase difficulty with micturition. Use in pregnancy and lactation: Increased fetal heart rate reported with parenteral Asmaphen. Irritability and disturbed sleep have been reported in breast-fed infants.
Pharmacology & Mechanism of Action
Ephedrine is a stimulant drug, belonging to a group of medicines known as sympathomimetics. Specifically it is both an alpha and beta adrenergic agonist. In addition, Ephedrine enhances the release of norepinephrine, a strong endogenous alpha agonist. The action of this compound is notably similar to that of the body's primary adrenergic hormone epinephrine (adrenaline), which also exhibits action toward both alpha and beta receptors. When administered, Ephedrine will notably increase the activity of the central nervous system, as well as have a stimulatory effect on other target cells.