Ephedrine

Ephedrine (EPH) is a sympathomimetic amine commonly used as a decongestant. Chemically, it is an alkaloid derived from various plants in the genus Ephedra (family Ephedraceae). The salt ephedrine hydrochloride has found various uses which utilise its sympathomimetic effect.

Misuse/Illicit-use

Anectodal reports have suggested that ephedrine helps thinking or studying to a greater extent than caffeine. Some students and some white-collar workers have used ephedrine (or Ephedra-containing herbal supplements) for this purpose, as well as some professional athletes and weightlifters. Such misuse of ephedrine has been associated with stimulant dependence, as well as deaths from heatstroke in athletes and circulatory problems such as aortic aneurysm in weightlifters. (See Exercise and Stimulants.)

Related Topics:
Dependence - Heatstroke - Aortic aneurysm - Exercise and Stimulants

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As a phenylethylamine, ephedrine has a similar chemical structure to amphetamines. Ephedrine can be used in the synthesis of methamphetamine by chemical reduction; this has made ephedrine a highly sought-after chemical precursor in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine. The most popular method for reducing ephedrine to methamphetamine is the birch reduction, which uses anhydrous ammonia, lithium metal, and ephedrine in the reaction. The second most popular method uses red phosphorus, iodine, and ephedrine in the reaction.

Related Topics:
Phenylethylamine - Amphetamine - Illicit manufacture - Methamphetamine - The birch reduction - Anhydrous ammonia - Lithium - Ephedrine - Reaction - Red phosphorus - Iodine

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Through oxidation, ephedrine can be easily synthesized into methcathinone. Ephedrine is listed as a Table I precursor under the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substanceshttp://www.incb.org/pdf/e/list/red.pdf.

Related Topics:
Oxidation - Methcathinone - United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~