ephedrine hydrochloride

ephedrine hydrochloride,

n chemical employed for treating allergy and asthma caused by its decongestant and bronchodilator properties; administered through the mouth, nose, or by injection.

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mydriatic

1. Causing mydriasis of the pupil. 2. A drug which produces mydriasis. Mydriatics are used to carry out a thorough inspection of the fundus and lens, especially in elderly patients in whom the pupils are usually smaller. However, in older people it must be ascertained that the patient does not have glaucoma. There are two classes of mydriatics: (1) antimuscarinic (parasympatholytic, anticholinergic, atropine-like) drugs which antagonize the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors in the ciliary muscle, such as atropine, cyclopentolate, homatropine, hyoscine (scopolamine) and tropicamide. Antimuscarinic drugs produce cycloplegia as well. (2) sympathomimetic (adrenergic stimulating) drugs which directly or indirectly stimulate the dilator pupillae muscle which is innervated by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. These include cocaine, ephedrine hydrochloride, adrenaline (epinephrine), naphazoline and phenylephrine hydrochloride. See adrenergic receptors; cholinergic; cycloplegia; miotics; dilator pupillae muscle; mydriasis; pupil light reflex; sympathomimetic.