Health

Answers about ephedra

What is ephedra?

Ephedra is a plant with varieties growing in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. It is called ma huang in China, where it has been used for 4,000 years to treat respiratory infections. Typically, the whole plant is powdered and used in pills or other forms.

Ephedra contains two alkaloids, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. These compounds can combat congestion and ease breathing in some conditions. But the chemicals in ephedra also affect the heart and can cause a serious rise in blood pressure. A synthetic ephedrine is used in a very limited way in a small number of drugs prescribed for respiratory infections.

Ephedra has been found in about 200 dietary supplements sold over the counter. Ephedra has been promoted at health food stores. Manufacturers and retailers have claimed the herb is good for weight control, building muscle and boosting energy. FDA's power to regulate the dietary supplements is more limited than for prescription drugs. The agency can ban risky supplements only after gathering evidence of injury.

After years of study, the FDA has concluded continued sale and use of products containing ephedra "pose an unreasonable health risk." There have been about 1,000 reports of serious health complications from the use of ephedra and at least 100 deaths. The herb has been banned in three states. Most organized athletic groups ban use of ephedra and ephedrine or severely discourage their use. A Baltimore Orioles pitcher who died was taking ephedra.

The FDA is not taking action on over-the-counter cold remedies that contain ephedrine-like drugs, because those products are properly labeled and are for short-term use only.

They can sue. FDA officials said they are ready for the ephedra rule to be challenged in court.

Yes. Officials said other products are being looked at, but no immediate action is expected. An FDA publication lists a number of herb supplement ingredients with "possible health hazards," including chaparral, comfrey, willow bark and wormwood.

- Sources: Associated Press, WebMd.com

Here's a short list of some, but not all, products that contain ephedra:

Metabolife

Ripped Fuel

Diet Fuel

Stacker 3

NaturalTRIM

Hydroxycut

Xenadrine RFA-1

Metab-O-Lite

Metabolift

Up Your Gas

Truckers Luv It

Yellow Jackets

Ephedra

Ephedrine

Ma huang

Ephedra sinica

Sida cordifolia

Pinellia

- Source: WebMD.com

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