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Central nervous system drugs

Ephedrine

Also known as l-Ephedrine, (-)-Ephedrine, Ephedrin

CAS 299-42-3Formula C10H15NOMolar mass 165.24 g/molEC 206-080-5
GHS signal word: Warning. Pictograms: Harmful or irritant Controlled, licensed buyers only Drug substance
Request as a licensed buyer Safety data
Ephedrine chemical structure, C10H15NO, CAS 299-42-3
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Waxy solid, crystals or granules
Melting point
38.1 °C
Boiling point
260 °C
Density
1.0085 g/cm³ at 22 °C
Solubility
In water, 56,900 mg/L at 25 °C, 63,600 mg/L at 30 °C
HS code
293941
Category
Central nervous system drugs

What is Ephedrine?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

(-)-ephedrine is a phenethylamine alkaloid that is 2-phenylethanamine substituted by a methyl group at the amino nitrogen and a methyl and a hydroxy group at position 2 and 1 respectively. It has a role as a sympathomimetic agent, a xenobiotic, a vasoconstrictor agent, a plant metabolite, a bacterial metabolite, a nasal decongestant and an environmental contaminant. It is a member of phenylethanolamines and a phenethylamine alkaloid. It is a conjugate base of a (-)-ephedrinium.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
(1R,2S)-2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpropan-1-ol
CAS number
299-42-3 CAS number cross-checked
EC number
206-080-5
Molecular formula
C10H15NO
UNII
GN83C131XS
InChIKey
KWGRBVOPPLSCSI-WPRPVWTQSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C10H15NO/c1-8(11-2)10(12)9-6-4-3-5-7-9/h3-8,10-12H,1-2H3/t8-,10-/m0/s1
SMILES
C[C@@H]([C@@H](C1=CC=CC=C1)O)NC

Synonyms

  • l-Ephedrine
  • (-)-Ephedrine
  • Ephedrin
  • Mandrin
  • Ephedrol
  • Sanedrine
  • L(-)-Ephedrine
  • 1-Sedrin
  • Biophedrin
  • Ephedremal
  • Ephedrital
  • Ephedrosan
  • Ephedrotal
  • Ephendronal
  • Eciphin
  • Efedrin
  • Ephedral
  • Ephedsol
  • Ephoxamin
  • Kratedyn
  • Manadrin
  • Vencipon
  • Zephrol
  • Nasol
  • (1R,2S)-2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpropan-1-ol
Show all 39 synonyms
  • Xenadrine
  • Ephedrine, anhydrous
  • 1-2-Methylamino-1-phenylpropanol
  • 2-Methylamino-1-phenyl-1-propanol
  • l-Erythro-2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpropan-1-ol
  • Ephedrinum, anhydrous
  • 1-Hydroxy-2-methylamino-1-phenylpropane
  • 1-Phenyl-1-hydroxy-2-methylaminopropane
  • alpha-Hydroxy-beta-methylaminopropylbenzene
  • 1-alpha-(1-Methylaminoethyl)benzyl alcohol
  • alpha-(1-(Methylamino)ethyl)benzenemethanol
  • alpha-Hydroxy-beta-methyl amine propylbenzene
  • (1R,2S)-2-methylamino-1-phenylpropan-1-ol
  • (1R,2S)-1-phenyl-1-hydroxy-2-methylaminopropane

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Waxy solid, crystals or granulesexp.
Melting point
38.1 °Cexp.
Boiling point
260 °Cexp.
Density
1.0085 g/cm³ at 22 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 56,900 mg/L at 25 °C, 63,600 mg/L at 30 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
165.24 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
165.1154 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
1.33calc.
Topological polar surface area
32.26 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
2calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
2calc.
Rotatable bonds
3calc.
Heavy atoms
12calc.
Rings
1calc.
Aromatic rings
1calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.4calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
2calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, c1ccccc1

c1ccccc1

1 ring, 6 atoms, the Benzene ring system.

485,677 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Warning
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant

Hazard statements

  • H302Harmful if swallowed.
Precautionary statements (5)
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P301 + P317If swallowed: Get medical help.
  • P330Rinse mouth.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Ephedrine suppliers

Controlled substance, listings of documented suppliers only, in the documented ranking

Drug precursor

Ephedrine is controlled. Only documented suppliers can list it, and buyers must upload a valid licence with their request. Every request is reviewed before suppliers see it.

Licensed buyers only, every enquiry is reviewed by our compliance team.

Reference: UN Convention against Illicit Traffic 1988 Table I, India NDPS controlled substance, HS 2022 subheading 2939.41 (ephedrine)

Our policy on controlled substances
No documented supplier lists it yet

Licensed buyers can post a request for Ephedrine with their licence. Our compliance team reviews it before suppliers see it.

Request as a licensed buyer

Ephedrine price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

No published prices right now

Suppliers quote this chemical on request. Send one free request and compare quotes side by side.

Get latest price

Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

In Oriental medicines, ephedra is the chief drug for treatment of asthma and bronchitis. It has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine as a primary component of multi-herb formulas prescribed to treat bronchial asthma, cold and flu, cough and wheezing, feven, chills, lact of perspiration, headache, and nasal congestion. ...Today, ephedra is official in the national pharmacopeias of China, Germany, and Japan. In India, ephedra herb is listed in the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia. Only its isolated derivatives ephedrine and ephedrine hydrochloride are official in the Indian Pharmacopeia. (Ephedra).

Ephedra is an evergreen shrub-like plant native to Central Asia and Mongolia. The principal active ingredient, ephedrine, is a compound that can powerfully stimulate the nervous system and heart.

Read more

Ephedra has been used for more than 5,000 years in China and India to treat conditions such as colds, fever, flu, headaches, asthma, wheezing, and nasal congestion. More recently, ephedra was used as an ingredient in dietary supplements for weight loss, increased energy, and enhanced athletic performance.

In Germany, ephedra is official in the German Pharmacopeia and is an approved herb in the Commission E monographs. It is used as a primary component of licensed prepared respiratory medicines. (Ephedra).

Because of its stimulant effects, ephedrine has been misused and abused by athletes, bodybuilders, weight lifters, and others, including high school- and college-aged individuals engaged in sports. Evidence from several surveys indicates that about 4% of student athletes and 13-25% of individuals attending a gymnasium use ephedrine.

Use classes: Pharmaceuticals.

Pharmacological actions

  • Adrenergic Agents
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Sympathomimetics
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents

Roles

  • adrenergic agent
  • analgesic
  • anti-obesity agent
  • bacterial metabolite
  • cardiovascular drug
  • environmental contaminant
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • metabolite
  • nasal decongestant
  • neurotransmitter agent
  • pharmaceutical
  • plant metabolite
  • prokaryotic metabolite
  • sympathomimetic agent
  • vasoconstrictor agent
  • xenobiotic

Functional uses

  • Pharmaceutical

Pharmacology

Ephedrine is an alpha-Adrenergic Agonist, and beta-Adrenergic Agonist, and Norepinephrine Releasing Agent. The mechanism of action of ephedrine is as an Adrenergic alpha-Agonist and Adrenergic beta-Agonist. The physiologic effect of ephedrine is by means of Increased Norepinephrine Activity.

How it is made

Fermentation of benzaldehyde & molasses with yeast to give levo-1-phenyl-2-keto-1-propanol which is condensed with methylamine & reduced with activated aluminum in moist ether to yield the free base, the salts are produced by addition of hydrochloric or sulfuric acid

Microbial fermentation medium + benzaldehyde + methylamine (microbial conversion/reductive amination)

Ephedrine is a naturally occurring alkaloid drug derived from Ephedra equistina and Ephedra vulgaris.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Drug precursor

Ephedrine is controlled. Only documented suppliers can list it, and buyers must upload a valid licence with their request. Every request is reviewed before suppliers see it.

Licensed buyers only, every enquiry is reviewed by our compliance team.

Reference: UN Convention against Illicit Traffic 1988 Table I, India NDPS controlled substance, HS 2022 subheading 2939.41 (ephedrine)

Our policy on controlled substances

Europe

  • EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)
    Index no: 614-023-00-4

Health and food

  • EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II, prohibited in cosmetics
    Name: Ephedrine and its salts, Ref no: 164, Annex ref: II/164
  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels

Controls

  • US DEA controlled substance or listed chemical
  • Drug precursor (UN 1988 Convention)

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Ephedrine is traded under.

HS 2939.41Exact HS code

Ephedrine and its salts

World exports in 2024
$2.34M
−48.0% vs 2023, imports $2.72M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. India * partner reported52.5%
  2. Germany22.4%
  3. Denmark5.6%
Top importers
  1. Egypt21.1%
  2. South Korea14.7%
  3. United States9.3%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Ephedrine is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Ephedrine, based on the data on this page

What is Ephedrine?

(-)-ephedrine is a phenethylamine alkaloid that is 2-phenylethanamine substituted by a methyl group at the amino nitrogen and a methyl and a hydroxy group at position 2 and 1 respectively.

What is the CAS number of Ephedrine?

The CAS registry number of Ephedrine is 299-42-3.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Ephedrine?

The molecular formula of Ephedrine is C10H15NO and its molar mass is 165.24 g/mol.

What is Ephedrine used for?

In Oriental medicines, ephedra is the chief drug for treatment of asthma and bronchitis.

Is Ephedrine hazardous?

Ephedrine carries the GHS signal word "Warning". Main hazards: harmful if swallowed. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Ephedrine?

Ephedrine is usually classified under HS code 293941 (Ephedrine and its salts). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Can I buy Ephedrine on CompoundList?

Ephedrine is a controlled substance. Only documented suppliers can list it, and buyers must upload a valid licence with their request. Every request is reviewed by our compliance team before suppliers see it.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Ephedrine

Request as a licensed buyer

Upload your licence with the request. Our compliance team reviews it before the documented suppliers see it.
Request as a licensed buyer
Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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