Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » ephedrine

ephedrine

(e fe′drin; chiefly Brit, ef′ə drēn′, -drin)

noun

an alkaloid, CHNO, derived from certain Asiatic gymnosperms (family Ephedraceae) or synthesized, and used to relieve nasal congestion and asthma and to constrict certain blood vessels

Origin: < ModL Ephedra < L ephedra, the plant horsetail < Gr < ephedros, sitting by < epi-, on, near + hedra, a seat (see sit) + -ine

See ephedrine in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A white, odorless, powdered or crystalline alkaloid, C₁₀H₁₅NO, isolated from shrubs of the genus Ephedra or made synthetically. It is used in the treatment of allergies and asthma.

Origin:

Origin: Latin ephedra, horsetail; see ephedra

Origin: + -ine²

Learn more about ephedrine

ephedrine medical definition

ephedrine science

ephedrine in a sentence

link/cite print suggestion box