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What is ephedrine? Ephedrine (e-fed¡¦rin) a-methylamino-l phenyl-l propanol, is an alkaloid from the leaves of Ephededra equisetina, E. Sinica, and other species (family Gnetaceae). It is also called E
phedra & Ma Huang, the plant source for the Alkaloid ephedrine. Indigenous to China, India and parts of SoutheastAsia . Products containing ephedrine extracts have according to the FDA, caused hundred
s of illnesses, including heart attacks, seizures, strokes and even 15 reported deaths. They are amphetamine-like compounds with powerful and potentially lethal stimulant effects on the central nervou
s system and the heart.
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Ephedrine is the active ingredient in many diet pills and supplements. Many use the name "thermo", "lean" or "fat burner." Brand names include, Metabolife, MeTrim, Herbalife, Adiphen, Thermalean, Lipo
drene, Zymax, Genicil, Patent Lean, Thermoslim, Ultra Lipo Lean, Trim Life, Hydroxy Cut, Xenadrine, Herbal Phen-Fen, Shapefast, Thermoburn, Thyro-slim, Trim Spa, Natural Trim, Thermo-Lift and many oth
ers.
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In the United States, ephedra and ephedrine are sold in health food stores under a variety of brand names. Ephedrine is widely used for weight loss, as an energy booster, and to enhance athletic perfo
rmance. These products often contain other stimulants, such as caffeine, which may have synergistic effects and increase the potential for adverse effects. Ephedra is often touted as the "herbal fen-p
hen."
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Ephedrine alkaloids are amphetamine-like compounds used in OTC and prescription drugs with potentially lethal stimulant effects on the central nervous system and heart. The FDA has received more than
800 reports of adverse effects associated with use of products containing ephedrine alkaloid since 1994. These serious adverse effects, include hypertension (elevated blood pressure), palpitations (ra
pid heart rate), neurophathy (nerve damage), myopathy (muscle injury), psychosis, stroke, memory loss, heart rate irregularities, insomnia, nervousness, tremors, seizures, heart attacks, and death. Th
e agency has proposed to prohibit the marketing of dietary supplements containing 8 milligrams or more of ephedrine alkaloids per serving.
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The Texas Department of Health (TDH), has proposed banning certain ephedra and ephedrine-containing products made by dietary supplement companies, while preserving products of the pharmaceutical indus
try. This interesting--if a bit convoluted--proposal seeks to make the following changes in regulating products in the state of Texas:
-All ephedrine products would become prescription drugs, exce
pt:
-Ephedra (ma huang) products would be exempt only if they are less than 3% alkaloid (read "NO EXTRACTS").
-It would be illegal to sell any ephedra or ephedrine-containing product in combin
ation with combinations with caffeine or caffeine-containing plants including cola, tea or guarana.
-A list of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs made by pharmaceutical companies would be specifically e
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Higher doses (overdose)
-can cause restlessness and anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, tremor, rapid
-pulse, sweating, respiratory difficulties, confusion, hallucinations,
-delerium, and (very inf
requently) convulsions. The most dangerous symptoms
-of overdose are abnormally high blood pressure and rapid, irregular
-heartbeat. A dose of ephedrine only two to three times the theraputic
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