Ephedra

What Ephedra Is Used For 

• Ephedra has been used for more than 5,000 years in China  and India  to treat conditions such as colds, fever, flu, headaches, asthma, wheezing,  and nasal congestion. 
• It has also  been an ingredient  in many dietary  supplements used  for weight loss, increased energy,  and enhanced athletic performance. 

• An NCCAM-funded  study that analyzed phone calls to poison control centers found  a higher rate of side effects from ephedra, compared with other herbal products. 
• Other studies and systematic reviews have found an increased risk of heart, psychiatric, and gastrointestinal problems, as well as high  blood pressure and stroke, with  ephedra use. 
• According to  the U.S. Food  and Drug Administration (FDA), there  is little evidence of ephedra's effectiveness, except for short-term weight loss.  However, the increased risk  of heart problems and stroke outweighs any benefits. 

• In 2004, the FDA banned the U.S. sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra. The FDA found  that these supplements had an unreasonable risk of injury  or illness—particularly cardiovascular complications—and  a risk  of death.  The ban does  not apply to traditional Chinese herbal remedies  or to products like herbal teas regulated as conventional foods.1 
• Between 1995 and 1997,  the FDA received more than 900 reports  of possible ephedra toxicity. Serious adverse events such as stroke, heart attack, and sudden death were reported  in 37 cases. 
• Using ephedra may worsen many health conditions such  as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, sleep disorders, and diabetes. 
• Taking ephedra can also result  in nausea, anxiety, headache, psychosis, kidney stones, tremors, dry mouth, irregular heart rhythms, heart damage, high blood pressure, restlessness, sleep problems, irritation of  the stomach,  and increased urination. 
• Women who are pregnant  or breastfeeding  and children  should avoid  taking ephedra. 
• Ephedra use may lead to serious health problems when used with  other dietary supplements or medicines.
• Combining ephedra with caffeine increases the risk of potentially serious  side effects.
• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them  a full picture of what you do  to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.