Ephedrine - use as a drug


Composition Teofedrin-N

The composition of Teofedrin-N includes the following active substances: theophylline , paracetamol , phenobarbital , cytisine , caffeine , ephedrine hydrochloride , belladonna extract .
Additional ingredients: potato starch, stearic acid, calcium stearate, povidone.

Thus, the composition of Theophedrine characterizes it as a combination drug.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Theophedrine-N is a combination medicine that has bronchodilator and antispasmodic properties .

The bronchodilator effect is caused by a combination of theophylline and caffeine with ephedrine and the m-anticholinergic atropine .

Phenobarbital , which is part of the drug, has a depressant effect on the nervous system.

As a result of the action of the drug, the lumen of the bronchi increases, blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation decreases, coronary vessels renal blood flow activates of heart contractions increases . The drug also acts to a moderate extent as diuretic .

In addition, the medicine has antipyretic and analgesic properties, since it contains paracetamol . It is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract when orally as tablets. Maximum plasma is reached after 60 minutes. Metabolites of paracetamol are excreted within 1-4 hours. This occurs primarily through the kidneys. The plasma half-life is 3 hours. This time may increase in case of renal / liver failure and drug overdose.

The maximum concentration of theophylline in the blood is observed after 150 minutes. The half-life is 11 hours.

The main active ingredient in belladonna leaf extract is atropine . It binds to blood after oral administration by 18%. About half of the dose taken is excreted unchanged through the kidneys.

Ephedrine is characterized by a good degree of absorption in the digestive tract. The required therapeutic level is maintained in plasma. Ephedrine is biotransformed in the liver. It is excreted mainly in the urine.

Ephedrine - use as a drug

How to recognize addiction

Systematic use of ephedrine, unlike other alkaloid drugs, does not appear outwardly for a long time. Therefore, it is not so easy to determine a developed addiction - you have to focus on indirect signs of how a person behaves under ephedrine or in a state of withdrawal:

  • sleep cycle disorder - a person may not sleep for days
  • abnormal pupil size
  • mood swings, from euphoria to irritability
  • sociability followed by unsociability
  • white coating on lips
  • increased dryness of hair and skin
  • loss of interest in work, hobbies, contacts with loved ones
  • loss of appetite

The danger of addiction lies not only in the deformation of habitual social processes, but also in the increased load on the body - the likelihood of problems with the heart and blood vessels increases, and irreversible changes in the brain begin to occur.

Use of ephedrine by athletes

Initially, ephedrine is of natural origin - the alkaloid was obtained from ephedra, but over time, laboratory synthesis became widespread. This form contains more active substance and fewer impurities than in the case of ephedrine extract obtained from natural raw materials. Due to the suppression of appetite and increased fat burning in the body, which is characteristic of this psychoactive substance, many bodybuilders began to combine ephedrine and sports nutrition. Typically, such measures are resorted to during periods of drying the body before participating in competitions.

Since athletes are inferior in terms of theoretical and practical training to people addicted to drugs, it becomes not so easy for them to get concentrated ephedrine through a pharmacy. It is not difficult for a drug addict to cook a “mulka” from Broncholitin or another medicinal drug in his kitchen. Bodybuilders, however, have no reason to go to great lengths due to the fact that many sports nutrition manufacturers quite calmly add ephedra to their products, which is a natural source of this alkaloid. Therefore, everything is simple - I bought a “fat burner” and got legal ephedrine. All this is necessary for people who are obsessed with the process of building their own body in order to get the following effects:

  • enhance fat burning processes
  • increase performance in order to achieve the greatest productivity in the training process
  • reduce appetite
  • speed up metabolism
  • feel cheerful

Of course, among people who use fat-burning supplements, there are inevitably those who believe that “one spoon of honey is good, but three is even better.” As a result, they either use dietary supplements in excessive dosages, or combine various substances that have a stimulating effect on the body.

Criminal liability for ephedrine

Due to the fact that ephedrine is included in the list of narcotic substances, any illegal trafficking is subject to punishment. You can get under the article not only for production, but also for storage, shipment - a parcel with ephedrine will be interpreted as transportation of a drug. The punishment depends on the volume of the substance, the maximum concentration considered legal is ten percent. If the total amount of ephedrine in the seized drug exceeds 0.6 grams, then this is interpreted as a large amount and will be subject to imprisonment. Thus, you can receive a criminal punishment by purchasing several cans of a fat-burning product with ephedrine - in total, the total volume of the psychostimulant will be determined as large.

conclusions

In order not to experience the negative consequences of using ephedrine-containing drugs, always carefully study the composition - especially for weight loss products. Because ordering such goods from foreign online stores can result in an unpleasant conversation with the police. And even if the fact of purchasing a product that contains ephedrine went unnoticed by law enforcement agencies, uncontrolled use of such a drug is fraught with a number of complications for the body - the systematic effect of ephedrine on the body is often the cause of a heart attack, stroke or other problems with the heart and blood vessels.

Contraindications

The contraindications are as follows:

  • hypersensitivity to the main and additional components;
  • angina pectoris;
  • heart rhythm disturbances;
  • prostatic hyperplasia;
  • lactation;
  • pregnancy;
  • arterial hypertension;
  • childhood;
  • chronic heart failure;
  • violation of coronary circulation ;
  • angle-closure glaucoma;
  • hyperthyroidism;
  • epilepsy and other convulsive conditions .

The product should be used with caution in the following cases:

  • renal and liver failure ;
  • problems with urination;
  • diabetes mellitus;
  • tendency to develop drug dependence.

Instructions for use Teofedrin-N (Method and dosage)

The instructions for Teofedrine indicate that the medicine is administered orally . It is an auxiliary drug for preventing attacks of bronchial asthma . Single dose – 2 tablets. If necessary, take the medicine 2-3 times a day. But the maximum daily dosage should not exceed 3 tablets.

Instructions for using Teofedrin-N for preventive purposes indicate that you need to take half a tablet or one tablet per day after meals. It is advisable to do this in the morning or afternoon to avoid insomnia .

The duration of taking the tablets depends on the characteristics of the disease and the therapeutic effect of the drug.

Instructions for use

According to the instructions, adult patients should take 0.5-1 tablet orally once a day. If necessary, the daily dose can be increased three times. It is also permissible to increase the single dose of Theophedrine (two tablets of the drug up to three times a day). Children from two to five years old are prescribed 0.25-0.5 tablets, children from six to twelve years old - 0.5-0.75 tablets. Theophedrine should be taken in the morning or during the daytime. The duration of treatment should be determined by the doctor.

Overdose

The following symptoms of overdose are likely: manifestations of acute intoxication (nausea, pain in the stomach, epileptoid seizures , vomiting , insomnia , blurred vision). Ephedrine in high doses causes an increase in blood glucose.

The dose of ephedrine that leads to death is 1 g.

Symptoms of paracetamol appear when taking more than 10–15 g, so their development is impossible due to the presence of other active substances among the components of the drug.

As therapy, patients are prescribed gastric lavage and induce vomiting. Treatment is symptomatic.

Side effects of Teofedrine

During treatment with Teofedrine, pain in the epigastric region, vomiting, nausea, tachycardia, tremor, insomnia, and difficulty urinating may occur.

An overdose of Teofedrine may result in nystagmus, ataxia, headache, weakness, cardiac dysfunction and decreased blood pressure, seizures, increased sweating, and nervous agitation.

In case of overdose, gastric lavage is indicated. It is also necessary to carry out symptomatic therapy with constant monitoring of the basic vital functions of the body (breathing, pulse, blood pressure).

Interaction

The content of theophylline in the blood increases when taking beta-blockers , Carbamazepine , Cimetidine , antibiotics , MAO inhibitors , , indirect anticoagulants , Furosemide , Verapamil , fluoroquinolones , hormonal contraceptives . Thus, the likelihood of side effects increases.

The effect of belladonna leaf extract is reduced by the influence of m-cholinomimetics and anticholinesterase drugs.

Anticoagulants enhance the effect of paracetamol . The likelihood of developing its hepatotoxic effect increases when combined with barbiturates , Carbamazepine , Zidovudine , Phenytoin , Rifampicin and other inducers of microsomal liver enzymes .

The interaction of ephedrine and MAO inhibitors leads to severe hypertensive crises due to inhibition of the metabolism of these vasopressor substances. Ephedrine also reduces the effect of opioid analgesics and other drugs that have a depressant effect on the nervous system.

Combination with non-selective beta-blockers reduces the bronchodilator effect of Teofedrine-N.

Features of the use of Teofedrine

Theophedrine should not be taken in the evening, as it may disturb the usual state of sleep. During the period of taking the drug, it is necessary to completely avoid alcohol consumption.

This drug should be used with caution in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Due to the activity of the drug, the level of glucose in the chemical composition of the blood increases. During the period of taking this drug, intellectual and labor activities and driving of vehicles should be limited.

The side effects of Teofedrine are enhanced when the drug is used together with beta-blockers, indirect anticoagulants, fluoroquinolones, furosemide, cimetidine, carbamazepine, verapamil, antibiotics, hormonal contraceptives, MAO inhibitors.

Paracetamol in Theophedrine can lead to intoxication of the body when used together with liver enzyme inducers and barbiturates. Ephedrine weakens the effectiveness of tranquilizers and analgesics. The bronchodilator effect of the drug is reduced when taken simultaneously with beta-blockers.

Rifampicin reduces the concentration of theophylline in the blood, and oleandomycin, ciprofloxacin and erythromycin increase it. Theophedrine reduces the therapeutic effect of doxycycline and its absorption. The use of Theophedrine in treatment in combination with lincomycin is unacceptable.

Co-administration of Teofedrine with antiepileptic and psychotropic drugs should be avoided. The effect of antihypertensive drugs, oral contraceptives and antidepressants when taken together with Theophedrine is usually reduced, and the effect of sleeping pills and diuretics may be increased.

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