Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

L-EPHEDRINE

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

An alkaloid obtained from Ephedra or prepared synthetically. A direct- acting
sympathomimetic agent with pronounced effect on alpha- and beta- adrenergic receptors and
has stimulating pronounced effects on the central nervous system. More prolonged though
less potent action than adrenaline. Used to relieve bronchospasm in asthmatics and in
treatment of allergic disorders such hay- fever and urticaria. Also used as a mydriatic
solution.

SYNONYMS

C10-H15-NO, sympathomimetic, "ephedrine, L-(-)-", "ephedrine, L-(-)-", benzenemethanol,
"alpha-(1-(methylamino)ethyl-, (R, (R*, S*))-", ephedrin, "alpha-hydroxy-beta-methyl
amine propylbenzene", 1-hydroxy-2-methylamino-1-phenylpropane, 1-hydroxy-2-methylamino-1-
phenylpropane, "(-)- alpha-(1-methylaminoethyl)benzyl alcohol", "L-(alpha)-(1-
methylaminoethyl)benzyl alcohol", "L-(alpha)-(1-methylaminoethyl)benzyl alcohol", L-2-
methylamino-1-phenylpropanol, L-2-methylamino-1-phenylpropanol, "N-methyl norephedrine",
"N-methyl norephedrine", 1-phenyl-2-methylaminopropanol, 1-phenyl-2-methylaminopropanol,
Biophedrin, Eciphin, Efedrin, Ephedral, Ephedrate, Ephedremal, Ephedrital, Ephedrol,
Ephedrosan, Ephedrotal, Ephedsol, Ephendronal, Ephoxamin, "Fedrin 1-Sedrin", "Fedrin 1-
Sedrin", Isofedrol, Kratedyn, Manadrin, Mandrin, Nasol, Sanedrine, Vencipon, Zephrol,
"sympathomimetic alkaloid"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Harmful if swallowed.
May cause SENSITIZATION by skin contact.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Ephedrine (phenylpropanolamine) and its derivatives are adrenergic agonists and may produce severe hypertensive episodes following ingestion. Large doses may give rise to giddiness, headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, thirst, tachycardia (rapid heart-beat), pruritus, precordial pain, palpitations, difficult urination (micturition), muscular weakness and tremors, restlessness and insomnia. Overdose may produce paranoid psychosis, delusions and hallucinations.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may cause transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn). Slight abrasive damage may also result. The material may produce foreign body irritation in certain individuals.  

SKIN

  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  Skin contact is not thought to produce harmful health effects (as classified using animal models). Systemic harm, however, has been identified following exposure of animals by at least one other route and the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions. Good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  

INHALED

  Inhalation of vapors, aerosols (mists, fumes) or dusts, generated by the material during the course of normal handling, may be damaging to the health of the individual.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of dusts, or fume, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  Inhalation exposure may cause susceptible individuals to show change in heart beat rhythm i.e. cardiac arrhythmia. Exposures must be terminated.  Sympathomimetics, which mimic stimulation of the sympathetic nerves, causing a stimulatory effect on the heart and central nervous system, constriction of blood vessels supplying the skin and mucous membranes, dilation of blood vessels supplying muscles of movement, and widening of the airways. These drugs may act on the receptor or the release of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline. Central nervous effects include fear (feeling of "impending disaster"), anxiety, restlessness, tremor, sleep disturbance, confusion, irritability, weakness and hallucinations. There can be nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, problems with urination, shortness of breath, disturbance in glucose levels and acid-base balance, sweating, excess saliva production and headache. Cardiovascular effects include changes in heart rate, irregularities in heart rhythm, low blood pressure with dizziness, fainting and flushing, or high blood pressure. Aerosols may cause death due to irregularities in the rhythm of the ventricles (two of the four chambers of the heart). Inhaling the material may cause death of heart tissue and heart attack.  Stimulation of heart beta-1 adrenergic receptors may cause increased heart rate and irregularity of heartbeat, tightness and a constricting pain in the chest, palpitations and heart stoppage; low blood pressure with dizziness, fainting and flushing may also occur. Beta-1 receptors mediate the action of sympathomimetics; beta-2 receptors control dilation of the airways.  Stimulating alpha-adrenergic receptors causes blood vessels to dilate, sometimes to the extent that gangrene occurs in the fingers and toes, and there is increased blood pressure. This can also cause swelling of the lungs and bleeding in the brain. The heart rate may be slowed. Two classes of receptors (alpha-1 and alpha-2) are thought to be responsible for mediating these effects. The former are thought to be responsible for causing the constriction of blood vessels when sympathomimetics are given; the latter for reduction of bowel activity when alpha-adrenergic agonists are given.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Long term exposure to high dust concentrations may cause changes in lung function i.e. pneumoconiosis; caused by particles less than 0.5 micron penetrating and remaining in the lung. Prime symptom is breathlessness; lung shadows show on X-ray.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  Skin contact with the material is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Exposure to small quantities may induce hypersensitivity reactions characterized by acute bronchospasm, hives (urticaria), deep dermal wheals (angioneurotic edema), running nose (rhinitis) and blurred vision . Anaphylactic shock and skin rash (non-thrombocytopenic purpura) may occur. An individual may be predisposed to such anti-body mediated reaction if other chemical agents have caused prior sensitization (cross-sensitivity).  Prolonged administration of ephedrine (phenylpropanolamine) and its derivatives is not thought to produce cumulative effects although tolerance with dependence may occur. Individuals chronically exposed to ephedrine may experience insomnia tension, anxiety and jerky choreiform movements. Prolonged abuse of ephedrine may produce symptoms resembling schizophrenia with tachycardia, poor nutrition and hygiene, fever, cold sweats and dilated pupils. Long doses over a prolonged period may produce personality changes with a psychotic craving for the drug. Visual and auditory hallucinations have been reported in individuals with no prior psychiatric history. Ephedrine abuse may result in symptoms similar to those produced by the phenethylamines. Chronic exposure to phenethylamines may produce habituation to central nervous system stimulatory effects and tolerance requiring increased doses. Although not generally associated with significant physical dependence they may, in extreme cases, produce amphetamine-like responses including personality changes, compulsive and stereotyped behaviour and may induce toxic psychosis with auditory and visual hallucinations and paranoid delusions.  Sensitization may result in allergic dermatitis responses includingrash, itching, hives or swelling of extremities.