In the United States, ephedrine is sold under a variety of trade names, usually as a component of over-the-counter drugs intended to treat congestion, coughing, wheezing, and related symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, and lung disease. The alkaloid achieves its effect on the body primarily through the discharge of excitatory chemicals called catecholamines. The catecholamines, which act upon cellular receptors, effectively stimulate lipolysis, dilate the bronchioles, accelerate the heart rate, increase alertness, and often diminish one’s appetite. These effects generally diminish after a period of several hours.