The Chemistry Behind Psuedoephedrine

<!Ø  Type: Small Molecule

Ø  Origin: Comes from the plant Ma Huang, or “Ephedra” which is processed into Ephedrine.

<!Ø  Ephedrine is then broken down further to extract “Pseudoephedrine” which is used in cough and cold, allergy, and other decongestant medicines.

Ø  Commonly, medicine using pseudoephedrine is referred to as “Sudafed”

Ø  Main Use: Treatment of several disorders such as asthma, rhinitis and urinary incontinence. Also used for its stimulatory effects on the central nervous system for narcolepsy and depression

Ø  Structure:

Ø Chemical Formula:  

C­₁₀H₁₅NO

Ø  IUPAC Name:

 (1S, 2S)-2-(methylamino)1-phenylpropan-1-ol

Ø  Kingdom: Organic

Ø  Classes: Phenethylamines, Amphetamines