ephedrine
9
7.7
- noun
- /ɪˈfɛdrɪn/
- Specialized
:
efedrina
- Pseudoephedrine is an effective decongestant, whereas ephedrine is a stronger stimulant and appetite suppressant used in diet pills.
- ephedrine and pseudoephedrine
Examples
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The coyotes insist that migrants move as quickly as possible, and to keep their exhausted charges on the march, they hand out ephedrine-based pills.
Academic text (2011) -
Now one easy source of natural stimulants is green tea and ephedrine.
Blog text (28) -
The FDA is also continuing to accept comments on a proposed rule designed to regulate dietary supplements that contain ephedrine alkaloids.
Academic text (2003) -
As if to prove Kingham's point, the FDA is preparing to start regulating dietary supplements like ephedrine and guarana, stimulants often used for losing weight or for increasing energy and performance.
Academic text (2003) -
Doctors often prescribe ephedrine to help patients breathe easier during an asthma attack.
-
The use of ephedrine in medications can act as a bronchodilator for those suffering from bronchitis.
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In some emergency situations, ephedrine may be administered to treat severe respiratory distress.
Surface Forms
Morphology
ephedrine = Ephedra (opaque) = ephedra + ine
Although formed from the plant name Ephedra + the chemical suffix -ine, the base 'Ephedra' and the technical suffix are unfamiliar to general learners, so the meaning 'an alkaloid' is not obvious to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Ephedrine comes from the plant name Ephedra, a small shrub long used in folk medicine, and the ending -ine is common in chemicals like caffeine and nicotine. So ephedrine is the drug 'from Ephedra' that helps open the airways and ease breathing.