AHFS Class:

12:12.12 alpha- and beta-Adrenergic Agonists

Generic Name

• EPHEDrine Hydrochloride (CAS Registry Number: 50-98-6)

Ephedrine hydrochloride is available as an injection solution at a concentration of 4.7 or 9.4 mg/mL of ephedrine hydrochloride in water for injection in single-use (preservative-free) 5-mL ampuls.³⁷⁰⁷ The pH may have been adjusted with sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid, if necessary.³⁷⁰⁷ The 4.7 mg/mL ephedrine hydrochloride injection solution should not be diluted prior to use.³⁷⁰⁷ The 9.4 mg/mL ephedrine hydrochloride injection solution may be used either undiluted or diluted.³⁷⁰⁷ To prepare a diluted solution for intravenous bolus administration, 5 mL (47 mg) of ephedrine hydrochloride 9.4 mg/mL should be diluted in 5 mL of dextrose 5% or sodium chloride 0.9% to a final concentration of 4.7 mg/mL.³⁷⁰⁷ An appropriate dose of the diluted solution should be withdrawn for intravenus bolus administration.³⁷⁰⁷

Ephedrine hydrochloride also is available as a concentrate for injection containing 47 mg/mL of ephedrine hydrochloride in water for injection, in single-use (preservative-free) 2-mL ampuls filled with 1 mL.³⁷⁰⁷ The pH may have been adjusted with sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid, if necessary.³⁷⁰⁷ The concentrate for injection must be diluted prior to administration.³⁷⁰⁷ To prepare a diluted solution for intravenous bolus administration, 1 mL (47 mg) of ephedrine hydrochloride concentrate should be diluted in 9 mL of dextrose 5% or sodium chloride 0.9% to a final concentration of 4.7 mg/mL.³⁷⁰⁷ An appropriate dose of the diluted solution should be withdrawn for intravenus bolus administration.³⁷⁰⁷

Equivalency

Ephedrine hydrochloride 47 mg is equivalent to 38 mg of ephedrine base.³⁷⁰⁷

Ephedrine hydrochloride 9.4 mg is equivalent to 7.7 mg of ephedrine base.³⁷⁰⁷

Ephedrine hydrochloride 4.7 mg is equivalent to 3.8 mg of ephedrine base.³⁷⁰⁷

pH

Ephedrine hydrochloride injection and ephedrine hydrochloride concentrate for injection solutions have a pH ranging from 5 to 6.5.³⁷⁰⁷

Trade Name(s)

Rezipres

Ephedrine hydrochloride is administered by intravenous bolus injection.³⁷⁰⁷ The concentrate for injection must be diluted prior to intravenous administration.³⁷⁰⁷

Ephedrine hydrochloride injection and ephedrine hydrochloride concentrate for injection are clear, colorless solutions.³⁷⁰⁷ Intact ampuls of ephedrine hydrochloride and ephedrine hydrochloride concentrate for injection should be stored at controlled room temperature.³⁷⁰⁷ Solutions should be visually inspected for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration; if the solution is not clear or if particulate matter is present, the solution should not be used.³⁷⁰⁷

Diluted solutions of ephedrine hydrochloride may be stored for up to 4 hours at room temperature or 24 hours at 2 to 8°C prior to administration.³⁷⁰⁷ Any unused portion of the solution should be discarded.³⁷⁰⁷

Syringes

Ephedrine hydrochloride (Hänseler) 10 mg/mL in sodium chloride 0.6% was packaged as 2 mL in 2.5-mL polypropylene syringes (Plastipak, Becton Dickinson) and stored at 25 and 40°C.³⁷⁰⁸ The drug was found to be stable with less than 5% loss after 12 months in syringes stored at either temperature.³⁷⁰⁸

For a list of references cited in the text of this monograph, search the monograph titled References.

ASHP^® Injectable Drug Information^TM. Selected Revisions March 31, 2024. © Copyright, 2025. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.