Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine. The principal mechanism of its action relies on its indirect stimulation of the adrenergic receptor system which is part of the (SNS), by increasing the activity of at the post-synaptic - and -receptors. The presence of direct interactions with -receptors is unlikely, but still controversial. Acting upon the central nervous system (CNS) is limited because ephedrine only crosses the blood-brain barrier weakly and not very efficiently





Both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine act as a , but pseudoephedrine has considerably less effect. Both also increase blood pressure, with again pseudoephedrine being considerably less effective.

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