How does ephedrine work?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    The exact mechanisms are not fully understood but both ephedrine[1][2] (the drug) and ephedrine-type alkaloids[3][4] (from Ephedra plants) activate various adrenergic receptors in multiple tissues (heart, lungs, blood vessels, adipose tissue, muscles, etc.). This increases sympathetic nervous system activity, causing heart rate and blood pressure to rise and bronchioles in the lungs to dilate. The role of ephedrine and ephedra supplements in weight loss is likely related to increased fatty acid release from fat stores (adipose) and increased whole-body fat oxidation and energy expenditure.[5][6][7] Because a rise in energy expenditure would increase heat production (thermogenesis), this likely explains the increased sweating caused by ephedrine and ephedra supplements.

    References

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    2. ^Vansal SS, Feller DRDirect effects of ephedrine isomers on human beta-adrenergic receptor subtypes.Biochem Pharmacol.(1999-Sep-01)
    3. ^González-Juárez DE, Escobedo-Moratilla A, Flores J, Hidalgo-Figueroa S, Martínez-Tagüeña N, Morales-Jiménez J, Muñiz-Ramírez A, Pastor-Palacios G, Pérez-Miranda S, Ramírez-Hernández A, Trujillo J, Bautista EA Review of the genus: Distribution, Ecology, Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties.Molecules.(2020-Jul-20)
    4. ^Ma G, Bavadekar SA, Davis YM, Lalchandani SG, Nagmani R, Schaneberg BT, Khan IA, Feller DRPharmacological effects of ephedrine alkaloids on human alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor subtypes.J Pharmacol Exp Ther.(2007-Jul)
    5. ^Astrup A, Breum L, Toubro SPharmacological and clinical studies of ephedrine and other thermogenic agonists.Obes Res.(1995-Nov)
    6. ^Napolitano A, Murgatroyd PR, Finer N, Hussey EK, Dobbins R, O'Rahilly S, Nunez DJAssessment of acute and chronic pharmacological effects on energy expenditure and macronutrient oxidation in humans: responses to ephedrine.J Obes.(2011)
    7. ^A Astrup, J Bülow, J Madsen, N J ChristensenContribution of BAT and skeletal muscle to thermogenesis induced by ephedrine in manAm J Physiol.(1985 May)