Respiratory Handbook
For UK audiences

The professional's guide to product selection

Ephedrine hydrochloride - Alliance Healthcare (Distribution) Ltd
Bronchodilators Other adrenoceptor agonists Alliance Healthcare

Ephedrine hydrochloride - Alliance Healthcare (Distribution) Ltd

A non-specific adrenoceptor agonist.

By mouth for reversible airway obstruction
• Adult: 15–60 mg, three times daily

By intranasal administration for nasal congestion, sinusitis affecting the maxillary antrum
• Over 12 years: apply 1–2 drops up to four times per day in each nostril for a maximum of seven days

Indications

For the management of reversible airways obstruction.

Ephedrine is less suitable and less safe for use as a bronchodilator than the selective beta2 agonists, because it is more likely to cause arrhythmias and other side-effects. It should be avoided if possible.

Contraindications

Avoid use in the case of renal impairment, pregnancy and breast feeding.

Preparations Available

Tablet, Solution for injection


Sizes Available

Tablets
15 mg, pack of 28 
30 mg, pack of 28 

Solution for injection
30 mg/1 ml, 10 ampoules 

Price

Bronchodilators

All Bronchodilators
Acopair - Tiotropium
Viatrus UK Healthcare Ltd

Acopair - Tiotropium

Antimuscarinic bronchodilator.

• Over 18 years for maintenance of COPD: by inhalation of powder, one capsule, once daily.

Aloflute and Sirdupla - Salmeterol and fluticasone propionate
Viatrus UK Healthcare Ltd

Aloflute and Sirdupla - Salmeterol and fluticasone propionate

Long-acting selective beta2 agonist with corticosteroid.

Prophylaxis of moderate-to-severe asthma for Aloflute® 25/125 by inhalation of aerosol
Adult: 2 inhalations twice daily.

Prophylaxis of moderate-to-severe asthma for Aloflute® 25/250 by inhalation of aerosol
Adult: 2 inhalations twice daily.

Duaklir - Aclidinium bromide with formoterol
Covis Pharma Europe B.V.

Duaklir - Aclidinium bromide with formoterol

Long-acting selective beta2 agonist with long-acting muscarinic antagonist.

Adult: one inhalation twice daily. 

Eklira Genuair - Aclidinium bromide
Covis Pharma Europe B.V.

Eklira Genuair - Aclidinium bromide

Antimuscarinic bronchodilator.

• Over 18 years: by inhalation of powder, 375 mcg (1 inhalation), twice daily.

Salbulin Novolizer - Salbutamol
Viatrus UK Healthcare Ltd

Salbulin Novolizer - Salbutamol

Short-acting selective beta2 agonist.

For acute bronchospasm, Salbulin Novolizer® by inhalation of powder
Adult: Initially 100–200 micrograms, up to 800 micrograms daily for persistent symptoms.

For prophylaxis of allergen- or exercise-induced bronchospasm, Salbulin Novolizer® by inhalation of powder
Adult: 200 micrograms.

Salbutamol - AAH Pharmaceuticals Ltd
AAH Pharmaceuticals

Salbutamol - AAH Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Short-acting selective beta2 agonist.

Oral
(Please note, inhalation route preferred over oral route in children.)
• Child 1 month–1 year: 100 mcg/kg (maximum 2 mg) 3–4 times daily
• Child 2–5 years: 1–2 mg, 3–4 times daily
• Child 6–11 years: 2 mg, 3–4 times daily
• Child 12–17 years: 2–4 mg, 3–4 times daily
• Over 18 years: 4 mg (elderly and sensitive patients initially 2 mg), 3–4 times daily, with a maximum single dose of 8 mg (but unlikely to provide much extra benefit or to be tolerated).

Moderate to severe or life-threatening acute asthma, treated by inhalation of nebulised solution. Give via a large volume spacer, and via a close-fitting face mask in children under 3 years.
• Child 1 month–4 years: 2.5 mg, repeat every 20–30 minutes or when required.
• Child 5–11 years: 2.5–5 mg, repeat every 20–30 minutes or when required.
• Over 12 years: 5 mg, repeat every 20–30 minutes or when required.

Other adrenoceptor agonists

All Other adrenoceptor agonists
Ephedrine hydrochloride - AAH Pharmaceuticals  Ltd
AAH Pharmaceuticals

Ephedrine hydrochloride - AAH Pharmaceuticals Ltd

A non-specific adrenoceptor agonist.

By mouth for reversible airway obstruction
• Adult: 15–60 mg, three times daily


By intranasal administration for nasal congestion, sinusitis affecting the maxillary antrum
• Over 12 years: apply 1–2 drops up to four times per day in each nostril for a maximum of seven days

Ephedrine hydrochloride - DE Pharmaceuticals
DE Pharmaceuticals

Ephedrine hydrochloride - DE Pharmaceuticals

A non-specific adrenoceptor agonist.

By mouth for reversible airway obstruction
• Adult: 15–60 mg, three times daily

By intranasal administration for nasal congestion and sinusitis affecting the maxillary atrum
• Child 12-17 years: Apply 1–2 drops up to 4 times a day as required for a maximum of 7 days, to be instilled into each nostril, administer ephedrine 0.5% nasal drops.
• Adult: Apply 1–2 drops up to 4 times a day as required for a maximum of 7 days, to be instilled into each nostril.

Ephedrine hydrochloride - Hameln Pharmaceuticals
Hameln Pharmaceuticals

Ephedrine hydrochloride - Hameln Pharmaceuticals

A non-specific adrenoceptor agonist.

By mouth for reversible airway obstruction
• Adult: 15–60 mg, three times daily


By intranasal administration for nasal congestion, sinusitis affecting the maxillary antrum
• Over 12 years: apply 1–2 drops up to four times per day in each nostril for a maximum of seven days

Ephedrine hydrochloride - Martindale Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Martindale

Ephedrine hydrochloride - Martindale Pharmaceuticals Ltd

A non-specific adrenoceptor agonist.

By mouth for reversible airway obstruction
• Adult: 15–60 mg, three times daily

By intranasal administration for nasal congestion, sinusitis affecting the maxillary antrum
• Over 12 years: apply 1–2 drops up to four times per day in each nostril for a maximum of seven days

Ephedrine hydrochloride - Medihealth (Northern) Ltd
Medihealth (Northern) Ltd

Ephedrine hydrochloride - Medihealth (Northern) Ltd

A non-specific adrenoceptor agonist.

By mouth for reversible airway obstruction
• Adult: 15–60 mg, three times daily

By intranasal administration for nasal congestion, sinusitis affecting the maxillary antrum
• Over 12 years: apply 1–2 drops up to four times per day in each nostril for a maximum of seven days

Ephedrine hydrochloride - Sigma Pharmaceuticals Plc
SIGMA Pharmaceuticals

Ephedrine hydrochloride - Sigma Pharmaceuticals Plc

A non-specific adrenoceptor agonist.

For reversible airway obstruction by mouth
Adult: 15–60 mg 3 times a day.

Nasal congestion, sinusitis affecting the maxillary antrum by intranasal administration
Child 12-17 years: Apply 1–2 drops up to 4 times a day as required for a maximum of 7 days, to be instilled into each nostril, administer ephedrine 0.5% nasal drops.
Adult: Apply 1–2 drops up to 4 times a day as required for a maximum of 7 days, to be instilled into each nostril.