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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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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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Ephedrine has moderately potent bronchial muscle relaxant properties, and
-therefore is used for symptomatic relief in milder cases of asthmatic
-attack; it is also used to reduce the risk of ac
ute attacks in the treatment
-of chronic asthma. The typical adult dose range is 30-60 mg taken orally,
-three to four times per day, in the form of tablets. Ephedrine in the form
-of nose dr
ops is also widely used to relieve nasal congestion associated
-with upper respitory tract illnesses. It is also used to treat low blood
-pressure, because it constricts blood vessels and stimul
ates certain actions
-of the heart. Common side effects are qualitatively similar to those
-produced by amphetamines and are generally milder.
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Ephedrine is a naturally occuring central nervous system stimulant obtained
-from the plant _Ephedra equisetina_. It is now also produced by chemical
-synthesis, the synthetic product being mark
eted in the form of its salt,
-ephedrine sulfate; it occurs as a white crystalline powder with a bitter
-taste, soluble in water and very soluble in alcohol. Ephedrine is closely
-related in
structure to methamphetamine, although its CNS actions are much
-less potent and also longer-acting than those of the amphetamines. Its
-peripheral stimulant actions are similar to but less powe
rful than those of
-epinephrine (also called adrenaline), a hormone produced in the body by the
-adrenal glands.
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These terms are used to refer to the same substance derived from the plant Ephedra. (There are many common names for these evergreen plants, including squaw tea and Mormon tea.) Ephedra is a shrub-lik
e plant that is found in desert regions in central Asia and other parts of the world. The dried greens of the plant are used medicinally. Ephedra is a stimulant containing the herbal form of ephedrine
, an FDA-regulated drug found in over-the-counter asthma medications.
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