Drug Warning: Ephedra
Generic name: (also known by the name "Ma huang")
Purpose: An ingredient that has been frequently used in dietary and performance enhancing supplements that claim to aid in weight loss and provide an increase in energy.
Side Effects Reported
- Ephedra supplements may cause vomiting, nausea, tremors, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, or insomnia in those who take them.
- Ephedra may be linked to more serious side effects including heart palpitations, hypertension, seizure, heart attack and stroke.
- Those people who have a history of heart disease or high blood pressure, and those who partake in strenuous exercise, are at an increased risk of suffering the harmful side effects of ephedra.
- Some studies report that ephedra may be linked to as many as 155 deaths; as well as many serious but non-fatal heart attacks and strokes.
Industry Report
A study published in the journal, Neurology, has reported that users of more than 32 milligrams a day of ephedra suffered strokes at a greater rate than non-users.
In 2004, the FDA ordered a ban on the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids. It was the determination of the FDA in their rule that became effective on April 12, 2004, that ephedra presented an "unreasonable risk of illness or injury." The banning of supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids by the FDA marked the first time the sale of an over the counter nutritional supplement had been prohibited by the government.
Seeger Weiss is not currently pursuing lawsuits on this drug, but its drug warnings will remain on our radar.
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