ephedrine

noun ephed·rine \ i-ˈfe-drən , British also ˈe-fə-drən \

Updated on: 7 May 2018

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

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Recent Examples of ephedrine from the Web

In response, Congress passed the Combat Methampetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 to regulate and limit the sale of cold and allergy medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, ephedrine or phenylpropanolamine, traditionally used to make meth.

— beth warren, The Courier-Journal, "Meth, deadlier than ever, could be the 'next phase of drug epidemic'," 3 May 2018
In this undated recent photo provided by the Australian Federal Police, a record haul of 3.9 tonnes of liquid ephedrine sits stored in a warehouse which smugglers shipped to Sydney from Thailand in bottles of iced tea.

— Washington Post, "Australian police seize record haul of meth ingredient," 6 Oct. 2017
Still considered one of the finest footballers of all time, the Argentine tested positive for ephedrine doping and was sent home from the United States, with his beloved Argentina crashing out soon after. 5.

— SI.com, "6 Scandals That Rocked the Football World," 5 Oct. 2017
When the MCSO launched its meth initiative in 2008 sales of ephedrine, a key ingredient for meth, were around 17,000 per month.

— prescotte stokes iii, AL.com, "4 suspects sentenced for running a meth distribution ring in Mobile County," 15 Aug. 2017
Avoid drinks containing stimulants such as ephedrine or high doses of caffeine.

— john maffei, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Safety review marks beginning of football practice," 4 Aug. 2017
Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant that can be made from ephedrine and other readily available chemicals.

— mike ives, New York Times, "Rodrigo Duterte, Scorned Abroad, Remains Popular in the Philippines OCT. 13, 2016," 13 Oct. 2016

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.

Origin and Etymology of ephedrine

New Latin Ephedra

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1889

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Biochemistry Terms

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Medical Dictionary

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 2, pseudoephedrine