ephedrine hydrochloride, 30 mg/10 mL, solution for injection
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Ephedrine Wockhardt. It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Ephedrine Wockhardt against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Ephedrine Wockhardt injection is used for
Ephedrine Wockhardt is used to treat the low blood pressure which may occur during spinal anaesthesia.
It works by contracting the blood vessels in your limbs, so that more blood is available for your heart.
Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why it has been prescribed for you.
Ephedrine Wockhardt is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Ephedrine Wockhardt is not approved for use in children.
Before you are given Ephedrine Wockhardt injection
When you must not given it
You should not be given Ephedrine Wockhardt if:
- you have an allergy to ephedrine or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to ephedrine may include:
– shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty in breathing
– swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
– rash, itching or hives on the skin.
- you have, or have had any of the following medical conditions:
– heart problems
– pheochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland near the kidney)
– closed angle glaucoma (a condition in which there is a build up of pressure in the eye)
– mood/thought disorders and were given monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors in last
two weeks or about to commence on this group of medicines.
- using an antibiotic medicine called linezolid
- undergoing general anaesthesia
- the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
- the expiry date on the pack has passed
if you are given this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well or it may make you feel sick.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor any of the following before you are given Ephedrine Wockhardt:
- if you have or have ever had any other health problems or medical conditions, including:
- high or low blood pressure
- prostrate problems or difficulty in passing urine
- mental health disorders
- thyroid problems
- diabetes
- if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Ephedrine Wockhardt.
- if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed
Ephedrine Wockhardt is not recommended for use if you are breastfeeding.
- if you are an athlete or competing in sports
Ephedrine Wockhardt contains an active substance that may cause a positive reaction in anti- doping tests.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you are given Ephedrine Wockhardt.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with Ephedrine Wockhardt.
These include:
- Medicines used to treat heart failure (e.g. digoxin)
- Alpha blockers (e.g. prazosin and methyldopa) or beta blockers (e.g. propranolol) used to treat high blood pressure
- Medicines used to treat mental health disorders such as amitriptyline, moclobemide, phenelzine, venlafaxine and dothiepin
- Medicines used in the treatment of migraine such as ergotamine and any derivatives
- Theophylline (a medicine used to treat asthma)
- Acetazolamide, dichlorphenamide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate (medicines that make urine less acidic)
- Linezolid (an antibiotic)
- Medicines used to treat epilepsy such as phenytoin
- Medicines used to treat ADHD such as methylphenidate
- Medicines found commonly in over the counter cold and flu preparations such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine.
- Atropine (medicine used in heart problems or bowel problems)
- Medicine used in general anaesthetics such as cyclopropane and halothane
- Clonidine (medicine used to treat high blood pressure)
- Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid
These medicines may be affected by Ephedrine Wockhardt, or may affect how well it works.
You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while being given Ephedrine Wockhardt.
If you are not sure whether you should be given Ephedrine Wockhardt, talk to your doctor.
How Ephedrine Wockhardt injection is given
How much is given
Ephedrine Wockhardt is administered as an slow injection into a vein
Ephedrine Wockhardt must only be given by a doctor or nurse.
Your doctor will decide what dose of Ephedrine Wockhardt you will receive. This depends on your medical condition and other factors, such as your weight.
Sometimes only a single dose of is required.
If you take too much (overdose)
As Ephedrine Wockhardt is given to you under the supervision of a doctor, it is unlikely that you will receive an overdose. However, if you experience severe side effects tell your doctor immediately.
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (call 13 11
26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Ephedrine Wockhardt. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
Symptoms of an overdose include the side effects listed in the “Side Effects” section (see below), but are usually of a more severe nature.
Side effects
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are having Ephedrine Wockhardt.
Ephedrine Wockhardt may have
unwanted side-effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side-effects.
Ask your doctor to answer any questions you may have.
While being given it
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of the following:
- headache
- dry nose, mouth or throat
- fever or sweating
- nausea, vomiting or stomach pain
- mood or mental changes, such as nervousness, anxiety or irritability
- difficult or painful urination
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- irregular, fast or slow heartbeat
Some people may get other side effects while being given Ephedrine Wockhardt.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
After having Ephedrine Wockhardt
Storage
Ephedrine Wockhardt will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward. The injection is kept in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25ºC and protected from light.
Product description
What it looks like
Ephedrine Wockhardt is a clear and colourless solution.
Ephedrine Wockhardt is available in the followings strength and pack size: 30 mg/10 mL strength, 10 clear glass 10 mL ampoules per pack.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in Ephedrine Wockhardt is ephedrine hydrochloride.
Each ampoule contains 30 mg/10 mL of ephedrine hydrochloride.
Ephedrine Wockhardt also contains: sodium chloride, sodium citrate, citric acid and water for injections.
Ephedrine Wockhardt does not contain gluten, lactose, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Sponsor
Wockhardt Bio Pty Limited
5 Nurlendi Road, Vermont 3133
Victoria,
Australia
Supplier
InterPharma
Pty Ltd
PO Box 115,
MANLY, NSW, 1655
Australia
Australian Registration Number
30 mg/10 mL: AUST R 283638
This leaflet was prepared in September 2017.
Published by MIMS August 2018