Case Evaluation

Ephedra: Ephedra Overview

Ephedra is a plant that has been used for medicinal purposes in China for generations. It goes by many names, such as Ma Huang, herbal ecstasy, Mahuang, Mahuanggen and Ma Huang root. From the 1990's until its use was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004, ephedra was the main effective ingredient found in weight loss, bodybuilding, and energy supplements -- including Super Diet Max, Metabolife and Herbalife, for example. When combined with caffeine, ephedrine suppresses the appetite and stimulates a body's metabolism, but its effects are short term, meaning that it works only while it is being taken.

Because ephedra is marketed as a dietary supplement, the FDA had little control over it until very recently. Ordinarily, manufacturers are responsible for ensuring that a dietary supplement is safe before it is marketed, so the FDA could not regulate ephedra unless it was proven to be unsafe. In late 2003, the FDA made such a finding, announcing that consumers should stop all use of dietary supplements containing ephedra. The FDA ban on ephedra took effect nationwide on April 12, 2004.

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