Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I being treated with DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection?
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection contains the active ingredient ephedrine sulfate.
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate is used to treat some forms of shock, low blood pressure that
occurs when a local anaesthetic is given around the spinal cord, and in the treatment
of asthma and spasm of the airways.
2. What should I know before treatment with DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection?
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection should not be used if you have ever had an allergic
reaction to ephedrine sulfate; have closed angle glaucoma, pheochromocytoma, certain
problems with the heart or heart rate, an anxiety disorder with obsessive behaviours;
have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors within the last 14 days.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
are pregnant or breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection and affect how it
works. Examples include medicines used to treat high blood pressure, manage depression,
make urine less acidic, treat heart failure, or treat asthma and other related lung
problems.
4. How is DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection given?
Your doctor will give you DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection by injection into a muscle,
vein, or under the skin and decide how much you will be given and for how long.
5. What should I know during treatment with DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor or nurse that you have been given DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection.
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Driving or using machines
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Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to drive and operate potentially dangerous
machinery after you have been given DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection.
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Drinking alcohol
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No information available.
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Looking after your medicine
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The hospital will appropriately store and dispose of this medicine.
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6. Are there any side effects?
Side effects include sudden life-threatening allergic reactions (shortness of breath,
wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or other parts
of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin); difficult or painful urination/weeing;
feeling sick; an upset stomach or vomiting; a feeling of pain or pressure in the chest;
difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; a fast, slow or irregular heartbeat;
dizziness; lightheadedness; pale skin; fever or sweating; headache; a dry nose, mouth
and throat; difficulty sleeping; mood changes; irritability; nervousness; restlessness;
abnormal thoughts; confusion.
Active ingredient(s):
ephedrine sulfate
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection.
You should also speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you would like further
information or if you have any concerns or questions about treatment with DBL Ephedrine
Sulfate Injection.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I being treated with DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection?
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection contains the active ingredient ephedrine sulfate.
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection is a type of medicine called a sympathomimetic agent.
You may also hear it referred to as a pressor when used to raise blood pressure. DBL
Ephedrine Sulfate Injection works by activating the sympathetic nervous system which
leads to relaxation of the muscles in your airway, contraction of blood vessels and
stimulation of the heart.
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection is used to treat some forms of shock, low blood pressure
that occurs when a local anaesthetic is given around the spinal cord, and in the treatment
of asthma and spasm of the airways.
2. What should I know before treatment with DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection?
Warnings
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection should not be used if you have:
an allergy to ephedrine sulfate
closed angle glaucoma (a buildup of pressure in the eye due to a blockage),
pheochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland, which sits near the kidneys),
certain problems with the heart or heart rate,
taking or have taken monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors within the last 14 days, e.g.
phenelzine or tranylcypromine
an anxiety disorder including obsessive behaviours.
Check with your doctor if you have:
kidney problems or weakness, tiredness, dizziness and increased thirst,
too much acid in your blood (metabolic acidosis) causing nausea, vomiting, drowsiness
and breathlessness
lung problems or difficulty breathing
problems with your heart, including angina
high blood pressure
overactive thyroid
diabetes
problems urinating/weeing or prostate problems if you are a man.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection has been shown to pass into breast milk. Discuss breastfeeding
during this period with your doctor.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may affect or be affected by DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection. These
include:
alpha blockers or beta blockers and other medicines used to treat high blood pressure,
e.g. prazosin, propranolol, methyldopa, clonidine
medicines used to manage depression such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), e.g.
amitriptyline, clomipramine, dothiepin, imipramine
medicines to make urine less acidic, e.g. acetazolamide, dichlorphenamide, sodium
bicarbonate, sodium citrate
medicines used during anaesthesia e.g. inhalation anaesthetics
medicines used to treat heart failure, e.g. digoxin
theophylline, used to treat asthma and other related lung problems.
Check with your doctor or nurse if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection.
4. How is DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection given?
How is DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection given
Your doctor will give you DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection by injection into a muscle,
vein, or under the skin.
How much will be given
Your doctor will decide how much DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection you will be given
and how long you will be given it.
If you are given too much DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection
As DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection doses are carefully worked out and given by a doctor
experienced in its use, and you will be monitored carefully, it is extremely unlikely
that you will be given too much.
Signs that you may have been given too much include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness,
lightheadedness, emotional changes, hallucinations, blurred vision, chest pain or
problems breathing. Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience these.
5. What should I know during treatment with DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection?
Things you should do
Remind any doctor or nurse, that you have been given DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection.
Things you should not do
Driving or using machines
Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to drive and operate potentially dangerous
machinery after you have been given DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection.
There is no information on the effects of this medicine on a person’s ability to drive
and use machines.
Drinking alcohol
No information available.
Looking after the medicine
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection will be stored appropriately at the hospital.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
The hospital staff will dispose of any leftover DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Side effects
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Side effects
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What to do
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pale skin
fever or sweating
headache
dry nose, mouth and throat
difficulty sleeping
mood changes, irritability, nervousness, restlessness
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Speak to your doctor or nurse if you have any of these side effects and they worry
you.
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difficult or painful urination/weeing
feeling sick, an upset stomach or vomiting
a feeling of pain or pressure in the chest
difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
a fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
dizziness, lightheadedness
abnormal thoughts or confusion
signs of an allergic reaction such as shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty
breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or other parts of the body; rash, itching
or hives on the skin.
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Speak to your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you notice any of these side
effects.
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Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side-effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/safety/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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Ephedrine Sulfate
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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Sodium Chloride
Water for injections
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This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine
or other azo dyes.
What DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection looks like
DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection is a clear colourless solution (AUST R 16325).
Who distributes DBL Ephedrine Sulfate Injection
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
Sydney NSW
Toll Free Number: 1800 675 229
This leaflet was prepared in February 2025.