ephedrine + phenylephrine

Ephedrine + phenylephrine is a combination of two sympathomimetic agents used primarily to prevent and treat hypotension during spinal anesthesia, particularly in cesarean sections. The combination leverages complementary mechanisms: ephedrine acts as both a direct and indirect sympathomimetic with mixed α and β effects, while phenylephrine is predominantly an α-adrenergic agonist. This combination allows for lower doses of each individual drug, potentially reducing side effects while maintaining efficacy. The physiologic rationale for combining these agents is to increase the α/β-agonist activity ratio, where ephedrine's positive chronotropic and inotropic effects may counter the reflex decreases in heart rate and cardiac output that phenylephrine can induce.

Other names

ephedrine and phenylephrine combination