Ephedrine has a protective effect against cerebral ischemia,but its side effects limit its clinical application. Results from a previous study showed that 1.5 mg/kg per day ephedrine can promote motion recovery in rats following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion without significant side effects. In the present study,ephedrine at doses of 3.0,2.5 and 2.0 mg/kg was used to treat rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and the effects of ephedrine on the heart,liver,kidney and cerebrum were observed. Results showed that the blood pressure of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury following ephedrine treatment was lower than in rats that recovered naturally from cerebral ischemia/reperfusion,but the pressure decreased with increasing doses of ephedrine. In addition,serum aspartate transaminase,alkaline phosphatase and creatinine concentration in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury following ephedrine treatment were greater than in rats that recovered naturally from cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. The concentrations of these enzymes were decreased with increasing doses of ephedrine. Ephedrine-treated rats displayed hyperemia,degeneration and edema in the cerebrum,liver,heart and kidney. Results demonstrated that ephedrine exhibited side effects on the cerebrum,heart,liver and kidney in rats following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in a dose-dependent manner. Ephedrine has a protective effect against cerebral ischemia, but its side effects limit its clinical application. Results from a previous study showed that 1.5 mg / kg per day ephedrine can promote motion recovery in rats following cerebral ischemia / reperfusion without significant side effects. In the present study, ephedrine at doses of 3.0, 2.5 and 2.0 mg / kg was used to treat rats with cerebral ischemia / reperfusion and the effects of ephedrine on the heart, liver, kidney and cerebrum were observed. Results showed that the blood pressure of rats with cerebral ischemia / reperfusion injury following lower rats in rats with cerebral ischemia / reperfusion, but the pressure decreased with increased doses of ephedrine. In addition, serum aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and creatinine concentrations in rats with cerebral ischemia / reperfusion injury following ephedrine treatment were greater than in rats that actually born from cerebral ischemia / reperfusion. The concentrations of these enzymes were decreased with increasing doses of ephedrine. Ephedrine-treated rats showed hyperemia, degeneration and edema in the cerebrum, liver, heart and kidney. liver and kidney in rats following cerebral ischemia / reperfusion in a dose-dependent manner.