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Ephedra vulgaris: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Ephedra vulgaris - General Information

Ephedra vulgaris is an alkaloid chemical compound traditionally obtained from the plant Ephedra vulgaris sinica. The sale of ephedra-containing supplements was banned in the United States in 2004. The drug is still sold in Canada in OTC formulations.

 

Pharmacology of Ephedra vulgaris

Not Available

 

Additional information about Ephedra vulgaris

Ephedra vulgaris Indication: Ephedra vulgaris is widely used by athletes, despite a lack of evidence that it enhances athletic performance. Mechanism Of Action: The alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are the active constituents of Ephedra vulgaris. Pseudoephedrine is used in over-the-counter decongestants. Derivatives of ephedrine are used to treat low blood pressure, but alternatives with reduced cardiovascular risk have replaced it for treating asthma. Ephedrine is also considered a performance-enhancing drug and is prohibited in most competitive sports. Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine - that is, its principal mechanism of action relies on its direct and indirect actions on the adrenergic receptor system, which is part of the sympathetic nervous system. Ephedrine increases post-synaptic noradrenergic receptor activity by (weakly) directly activating post-synaptic α-receptors and β-receptors, but the bulk of its effect comes from the pre-synaptic neuron being unable to distinguish between real adrenaline or noradrenaline from ephedrine. The ephedrine, mixed with noradrenaline, is transported through the noradrenaline reuptake complex and packaged (along with real noradrenaline) into vesicles that reside at the terminal button of a nerve cell. Ephedrine's action as an agonist at most major noradrenaline receptors and its ability to increase the release of both dopamine and to a lesser extent, serotonin by the same mechanism is presumed to have a major role in its mechanism of action. Drug Interactions: Not Available Food Interactions: Not Available Generic Name: Ephedra Synonyms: Ma huang; Chinese jointfir; Indian jointfir Drug Category: Not Available Drug Type: Small Molecule; Nutraceutical; Approved; Withdrawn Other Brand Names containing Ephedra: Sinueaze; Ephedra vulgaris; Absorption: Not Available Toxicity (Overdose): Not Available Protein Binding: Not Available Biotransformation: Not Available Half Life: Not Available Dosage Forms of Ephedra vulgaris: Solution / drops OralPowder, for solution OralLiquid OralTablet OralCapsule Oral Chemical IUPAC Name: Not Available Chemical Formula: Not Available Ephedra on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephedra Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals