Ephedrine sulfate is available as a concentrate for injection in single-dose 1-mL vials and ampuls.2754; 3336; 3337 Each mL of the concentrate for injection contains ephedrine sulfate 50 mg in water for injection.2754; 3336; 3337 The pH may have been adjusted with sodium hydroxide and/or glacial acetic acid, if necessary.2754; 3337
The concentrate for injection must be diluted prior to intravenous administration.2754; 3336; 3337 For bolus administration, 1 mL (50 mg) of ephedrine sulfate should be diluted in 9 mL of sodium chloride 0.9% or dextrose 5% to a final concentration of 5 mg/mL.2754; 3336; 3337 An appropriate dose of the diluted solution of ephedrine sulfate should be withdrawn for administration.2754; 3336; 3337
Equivalency
Ephedrine sulfate 50 mg is equivalent to 38 mg of ephedrine base.2754; 3336; 3337
pH
From 4.5 to 7.2754; 3336; 3337
Trade Name(s)
Akovaz, Corphedra
Ephedrine sulfate concentrate for injection must be diluted prior to intravenous administration.2754; 3336; 3337 The drug is administered as an intravenous bolus2754; 3336; 3337 or infusion.3336
The drug also has been administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection;2314 however, FDA-approved labeling does not include these routes.2754; 3336; 3337
Intact ampuls and vials of ephedrine sulfate should be stored at controlled room temperature in their original cartons to protect from light.2754; 3336; 3337 The drug should be visually inspected for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration;2754; 3336; 3337 if particulate matter is present or if discoloration or cloudiness occurs, the solution should not be used.3336; 3337 Ampuls and vials of ephedrine sulfate are intended for single use only, and any remaining drug should be discarded.2754; 3336; 3337
Syringes
The stability of ephedrine (salt form unspecified) 10 mg/mL repackaged in polypropylene syringes was evaluated. Little or no change in concentration was found after 4 weeks of storage at room temperature not exposed to direct light.2164
Ephedrine sulfate (Ben Venue) 5 mg/mL in sodium chloride 0.9% was packaged in 10-mL polypropylene syringes (Becton Dickinson) and stored at 25°C in fluorescent light and at 4°C. Ephedrine sulfate losses were less than 3% after 60 days under both conditions.2365
Ephedrine sulfate 50 mg/mL packaged in polypropylene syringes (Becton Dickinson) was stable for 4 days at room temperature. Analysis found little or no loss of ephedrine sulfate, and no change in solution appearance occurred.2649
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