Vasopressor / Inotrope

Ephedrine

Mixed direct/indirect α and β agonist

Mechanism: Releases endogenous NE; direct α and β effects.

Calculate dose for your patient

Enter weight (kg or lb). Always verify before administration.

Patient weight

Computed weight

70.0 kg · 154.3 lb

Bolus

7.0 mg – 14 mg

= 1.40–2.80 mL (5 mg/mL)

Exceeds typical adult max 10 mg — cap and reassess.

Adult: 5–10 mg IV.

Weight is saved on this device for the next calculator you open.

Full dose calculator

Onset

1 min

Duration

10–60 min

Metabolism

Mostly excreted unchanged in urine.

Dosing

Adult

5–10 mg IV bolus q3–5 min (max ~50 mg).

Pediatric

0.1–0.3 mg/kg IV.

Indications

Hypotension with bradycardia

Contraindications

Severe CAD
MAOI use

Side Effects

Tachycardia
Tachyphylaxis
HTN

Clinical Pearls

1Useful when both pressure and rate are low; less first-line at C-section due to fetal acidosis (vs phenylephrine).

References & Further Reading

1
Textbook
Flood P, Rathmell JP, Shafer S. Stoelting's Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2015.
2
Textbook
Gropper MA, Miller RD, Cohen NH, et al., eds. Miller's Anesthesia. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2020.
3
Guideline
Kinsella SM, Carvalho B, Dyer RA, et al. International consensus statement on the management of hypotension with vasopressors during cesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. Anaesthesia. 2018;73(1):71-92.
4
Textbook
Adriano A, Morris R, eds. 2021 CA-1 Tutorial Textbook (15th Ed.). Stanford University Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology.

Citations are provided to direct further study. Always check the most current edition of guidelines and society recommendations — the information in this chapter is a teaching summary, not primary source material.