ephedrine

noun

ephed·rine | \ i-ˈfe-drən

, British also ˈe-fə-drən \

Definition of ephedrine

: a crystalline alkaloid C₁₀H₁₅NO extracted from a Chinese ephedra (Ephedra sinica) or synthesized that has the physiological action of epinephrine and is usually used in the form of its hydrochloride or sulfate as a bronchodilator, nasal decongestant, and vasopressor — see ma huang, pseudoephedrine

Examples of ephedrine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Many nations tried to halt meth production by choking supplies of precursors, usually ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, best known for being used in decongestant medicines. — Grant Peck, Anchorage Daily News, 30 May 2022 Like many other states, Mississippi mandated a prescription years ago because drug enforcement agents said medications with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine were being used as an ingredient in crystal methamphetamine. — Arkansas Online, 1 Jan. 2022 Like many other states, Mississippi mandated a prescription years ago because drug enforcement agents said medications with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine were being used as an ingredient in crystal methamphetamine. — Arkansas Online, 1 Jan. 2022 Like many other states, Mississippi mandated a prescription years ago because drug enforcement agents said medications with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine were being used as an ingredient in crystal methamphetamine. — Arkansas Online, 1 Jan. 2022 Like many other states, Mississippi mandated a prescription years ago because drug enforcement agents said medications with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine were being used as an ingredient in crystal methamphetamine. — Arkansas Online, 1 Jan. 2022 Champagne explains that products such caffeine and ephedrine — touted for metabolism-boosting and weight loss — may negatively affect metabolism, and are potentially dangerous for some. — Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2021 Like many other states, Mississippi mandated a prescription years ago because drug enforcement agents said medications with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine were being used as an ingredient in crystal methamphetamine. — Arkansas Online, 1 Jan. 2022 Like many other states, Mississippi mandated a prescription years ago because drug enforcement agents said medications with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine were being used as an ingredient in crystal methamphetamine. — Arkansas Online, 1 Jan. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ephedrine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near ephedrine

ephedra

ephedrine

ephemera

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Cite this Entry

“Ephedrine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ephedrine. Accessed 9 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for ephedrine

ephedrine

noun

ephed·rine | \ i-ˈfed-rən, British also ˈef-ə-drən \

Medical Definition of ephedrine

: a crystalline alkaloid C₁₀H₁₅NO extracted from a Chinese ephedra (Ephedra sinica) or synthesized that has the physiological action of epinephrine and is usually used in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₀H₁₅NO·HCl or sulfate (C₁₀H₁₅NO)₂·H₂SO₄ as a bronchodilator, nasal decongestant, and vasopressor — see ephedra sense 2, pseudoephedrine