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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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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 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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Recently, the FDA has called for strict limits on the recommended dose and proposed new labeling of products containing ephedrine. The FDA¡¦s proposal would prohibit the marketing of dietary supplement
s containing 8 milligrams or more of ephedrine alkaloids per serving, with warnings against using more than 24 mg per day and using the product for more than SEVEN DAYS. Any such product with claims e
ncouraging short-term excessive intake would be required to list the following statement on its label: ¡§Taking more than the recommended serving may result in heart attack, stroke, seizure or death.¡¨
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Since early 1990, the FDA has issued numerous warnings to consumers of diet products and supplements containing Ephedrine, Ephedra or Ma Huang. In fact, in November 1994, the FDA informed Alliance U.S
.A. that its Nature¡¦s Nutritional Formula One posed a potential health hazard and was in violation of federal laws designed to protect the public health and even issued a recall of their products due
to their combination of Ma Huang and caffeine containing Kola Nut. Alliance later removed the caffeine containing Kola Nut and was allowed to continue to sell its new product.
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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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