Ephedrine

Ephedrine is found in both cold remedies and herbal highs. It's actually pretty common to find ephedrine in OTC medicines as well, so it’s important to know what it’s all about. Especially because, like any drug, it can be addictive if taken in the wrong dose. Scroll down to find out how it affects you and what the law says.

What is ephedrine (UK)? 

Certain over-the-counter medications, used to treat congestion and asthma, have ephedrine as an ingredient. It’s a stimulant, extracted from an Asiatic shrub called Ma Huang. This means it’s also found in herbal ecstasy products such as Cloud 9 and Nirvana Plus, although the effects are closer to those of speed.

The different forms

OTC nasal sprays often contain ephedrine. There are even ephedrine pills available on the market. It can also be injected into the body to treat low blood pressure. Generally speaking, it’s not commonly used as a recreational drug.

What are the effects of ephedrine? 

It can…

• Speed up the heart rate and increase blood pressure.
• Dilate the bronchioles in the lungs, making breathing easier.
• Make you feel more alert and focused.
• Cause shivers down the spine and sensitive skin.

What are the risks of taking it? 

Some nasty side-effects include: 

• Nausea, a dry mouth and restlessness.
• At high doses, users can experience anxiety, heart palpitations, vomiting, tremors and insomnia.
• Long-term recreational use can cause strokes or heart attacks

Ephedrine (UK) and the law

Ephedrine is not currently classified as a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, so no penalties apply for possession or use of small amounts. However, if you sell ephedrine as an unlicensed dealer, you risk prosecution under the Medicines Act 1968.

Drug laws are complicated, but we can help. You can read our article to get informed or use other resources such as DrugWise. Make sure you have a basic knowledge of what’s going on legally to avoid getting caught red-handed.

Slang terms:

 Ephedrine is a bit of a mouthful, so on the street you might hear it referred to as ‘Mini-Thins’ or ‘Trucker speed’.

If you are planning to take it:

Think about the risks before using ephedrine pills without medical supervision, especially if you have a heart condition or diabetes. It can be incredibly helpful to people suffering with respiratory diseases but when taken in the wrong dose, it can lead to addiction and other health issues. If you want to find out more about the topic, click here. 

Remember: When you recreationally use drugs that have the potential to save lives, you make them harder to access for those who are in dire need.