ephedrine

[ ih-fed-rin, ef-i-dreen, -drin ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline alkaloid, C 10 H 15 N, obtained from a species of Ephedra or synthesized: used in medicine chiefly for the treatment of asthma, hay fever, and colds.

ephedrine

/ ɪˈfɛdrɪn; -drɪn; ˈɛfɪˌdriːn /

noun

1. a white crystalline alkaloid obtained from plants of the genus Ephedra: used for the treatment of asthma and hay fever; l-phenyl-2-methylaminopropanol. Formula: C 6 H 5 CH(OH)CH(NHCH 3 )CH 3

ephedrine

/ ĭ-fĕd′rĭn,ĕf′ĭ-drēn′ /

1. A white, odorless, powdered or crystalline alkaloid isolated from shrubs of the genus Ephedra or made synthetically. It is used in the treatment of allergies and asthma. Chemical formula: C 10 H 15 NO.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ephedrine¹

1885–90; < New Latin Ephedr ( a ) ephedra + -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of ephedrine¹

C19: from New Latin ephedra + -ine ²

Example Sentences

No action was taken and some have speculated that the players may have consumed the ephedrine in a cold medicine.

From BBC

But when the hairs were also screened for drugs, the researchers uncovered a trio of naturally-occurring substances called atropine, scopolamine and ephedrine.

From Salon

Along with atropine and scopolamine, which induce hallucinations, scientists found ephedrine, which boosts energy and alertness.

From BBC

A chemical analysis of the hair revealed evidence of three alkaloid substances known to produce altered states of consciousness: ephedrine, atropine and scopolamine.

From New York Times

Pele, though, did not have Maradona's dark side, one example of which saw the latter ejected from the 1994 World Cup in the United States after testing positive for the drug ephedrine.

From BBC