Amitriptyline
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Drug reference
ephedrine
Mixed-acting sympathomimetic (α and β agonist, enhances NE release) · Decongestant, Bronchodilator, Vasopressor
Mixed-acting sympathomimetic (α and β agonist, enhances NE release)Decongestant, Bronchodilator, VasopressorATC R01AA03
CDSCO approvedATC R01AA03
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
12 major
SEVERE in our sources
PREGNANCY
—
not curated
Top interactionssee all 12 →
- AmitriptylineSevereDatabaseDDInter
- AmoxapineSevereDatabaseDDInter
- BupropionSevereDatabaseDDInter
- ClomipramineSevereDatabaseDDInter
Mechanism
Ephedrine is an agonist at both α and β receptors and enhances release of norepinephrine from sympathetic neurons. It stimulates heart rate and cardiac output, variably increases peripheral resistance and blood pressure, and promotes bronchodilation by activating β adrenergic receptors in the lungs.
Indications
bronchodilator (in asthmatic patients, less common now)urinary continencehypotension (with spinal anesthesia)Mild chronic bronchial asthmaHypotension during spinal anaesthesiaPostural hypotensionNasal decongestantMild to moderate chronic asthma
Dosing
- Adult
- 15–60 mg TDS
Pharmacokinetics
Duration
several hours
Half-life
3 to 6 h
Excretion
largely as unchanged drug in urine
Contraindications
- hypertension
- benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- cardiovascular disease
Side effects
Common
hypertensioninsomniaurinary retention (especially in men with BPH)Frequent side effects
Serious
- important adverse effects in susceptible individuals with underlying cardiovascular disease
- significant toxicity and death (with high doses of herbal preparations)
Drug interactions
Amoxapine
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Bupropion
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Clomipramine
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Desipramine
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Dihydroergotamine
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Doxepin
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Ergometrine
Severe
Database
Clinical effect not specified
Source: DDInter
Ergotamine Tartrate
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Imipramine
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Iohexol
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Iopamidol
Severe
Database
Drug interaction classified as: synergy
Source: DDInter
Related guidelines
Ask House about ephedrine
Continue into a citation-backed clinical answer with the drug context already attached.
Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team