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What is ephedrine?
Ephedrine is used to relieve congestion due to colds, flu, hay fever, and allergies, and for temporary relief of shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing due to bronchial asthma. Ephedrine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Ephedrine is a decongestant and bronchodilator. It works by reducing swelling and constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages and widening the airway, allowing you to breathe more easily.
Important safety information:
* ephedrine may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to ephedrine. Using ephedrine alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
* If your symptoms do not improve within 7 days or if you develop a high fever, check with your doctor.
* If you have trouble sleeping, ask your pharmacist or doctor about the best time to take this medication.
* Do not take diet or appetite control medicines while you are taking ephedrine.
* Before you begin taking any new prescription or nonprescription medicine, read the ingredients to see if it also contains ephedrine. If it does or if you are uncertain, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
* Diabetes patients - ephedrine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
* Use this medication with caution in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
* Use ephedrine with extreme caution in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
* Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is unknown if this medication can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant while taking ephedrine, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using ephedrine during pregnancy. It is unknown if ephedrine is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using ephedrine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
How should I take Cyclobenzaprine?
Take cyclobenzaprine exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
Cyclobenzaprine is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include rest, physical therapy, or other pain relief measures. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Store cyclobenzaprine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Possible side effects of ephedrine:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dizziness; headache; nausea; nervousness; restlessness; sleeplessness; stomach irritation.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty urinating.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. Proper storage of ephedrine:
Store this medication at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep ephedrine out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
* If you have any questions about ephedrine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
* ephedrine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
* If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about ephedrine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
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