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Monographs of Topical Drugs that Have Caused Contact Allergy/Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Published in Anton C. de Groot, Monographs in Contact Allergy, 2021
Ephedrine is an alkaloid and hydroxylated form of phenethylamine which is found in the plant Ephedra sinica and various other plants in the genus Ephedra. It is an α- and β-adrenergic agonist that may also enhance release of norepinephrine. Following administration, ephedrine activates post-synaptic noradrenergic receptors. Activation of α-adrenergic receptors in the vasculature induces vasoconstriction, and activation of 0-adrenergic receptors in the lungs leads to bronchodilation. Ephedrine is commonly used as a stimulant, appetite suppressant, concentration aid, decongestant, and to treat hypotension associated with anesthesia. In pharmaceutical products, ephedrine is employed as ephedrine sulfate (CAS number 134-72-5, EC number 205-154-4, molecular formula C20H32N2O6S) or ephedrine hydrochloride (CAS number 50-98-6, EC number 200-074-6, molecular formula C10H16ClNO) (1).
A Sampling of CAM Therapies and Philosophies
Published in Lillian R. Brazin, The Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine on the Internet, 2020
The FDA’s mission is to promote and protect public health by helping safe and effective medical products reach the market in a timely way and monitoring products for continued safety after they are in use (see Figure 3.7). It would be wise to regularly check the section “Dietary Supplements” to see warnings regarding adverse effects. Read the “FDA News” and “Hot Topics” sections for current, vital information. Note the advice on buying medicines online, safety alerts, and warnings about ephedra.
Ephedra for fun, performance and losing weight
Published in Jane Fountain, Dirk J Korf, Drugs in Society, 2019
Substances that contain ephedra are known to aid weight loss and enhance athletic performance.1 Until April 2004 in the Netherlands, products containing this substance were available in pharmacies but also in so-called ‘smart shops’ (establishments where legal psychoactive substances are sold, usually for leisure purposes), where they were marketed as drugs for recreational use.2 On 6 April 2004, the Dutch government classified ephedra alkaloids as a medical drug in the Act on the Provision of Medical Drugs. This has led to a de facto ban on their sales.3 It is unlikely that ephedra alkaloids will become officially registered as a regular medicinal drug, because their primary effects serve no medical purpose. Ephedra contains two active ingredients, ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine, both of which stimulate the autonomic nervous system in the same way as the endogenous neurotransmitter adrenaline. In Europe, these substances are classified as precursors4 - that is, substances which, following a chemical reaction when mixed with other substances, become an intrinsic part of a new product. As precursors, ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine are used to produce the synthetic stimulant drug methamphetamine.
Tetrahydrocannabinol – friend or foe? – Debate
Published in Clinical Toxicology, 2020
Leslie Mendoza Temple, Jerrold B. Leikin
We know that adolescent use will dramatically increase. In every state that has legalized recreational marijuana, adolescent use, ages 12–17, is above the baseline. The baseline use is 12.2%; in Colorado it is 16%, and in Alaska, it’s 18% [26]. We know that toddler exposure is increasing [27]. And no one knows the precise duration of impairment. It’s prolonged, persisting even after subjective effects dissipate. Synthetic use is going to increase because we know the natural progression of drug modification due to tolerance. Drugs start out as plant-based, then become pharmaceuticals, then progress to synthetic as tolerance increases. Opium progresses to heroin, then fentanyl. Ephedra progresses to ephedrine, then methamphetamine. Cannabis progresses to medical marijuana, and then synthetic THC. That’s the progression that we’re going to see. Poison Center data is reflective of this marked increase (Table 2).
Effect of Ephedrae Herba methanol extract on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidaemic mice
Published in Pharmaceutical Biology, 2019
Se-Eun Lee, Chiyeon Lim, Sehyun Lim, Byoungho Lee, Suin Cho
Traditionally, EH has mainly been used to treat symptoms of respiratory diseases such as asthma, although recently, it has increasingly been used for weight reduction purposes (Shin and Yoon 2012; Fan et al. 2015). In the Republic of Korea, EH is derived from the dried stems and leaves of Ephedra sinica Stapf., E. intermedia Schrenk et C. A. Mey., or E. equisetina Bge. (Ephedraceae [Ephedra]), and has been widely used for the treatment of asthma and coughs, and as a diaphoretic (Herbology Editorial Committee of Korean Medical Schools 2012).
Anti-obesity, anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-antipyretic and analgesic activities of Globularia alypum extracts
Published in Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry, 2022
Tiss Mohamed, Zoubeida Souiy, Lotfi Achour, Khaled Hamden
No evidence has, however, been provided on the effect of G. alypum fractions on the obesity, type 2 diabetes, fever and pain. Accordingly, the present study was undertaken to evaluate, in the first time, the anti-obesity, anti-hyperlipidaemia, anti-hyperglycaemia, anti-pyretic and analgesic effects of Ephedra alata extracts.