Case Evaluation

Ephedra: Ephedra Side Effects

Ephedra Side Effects:

Ephedra is a plant that has been used in Asia for many years for its benefits and medicinal properties. It has become known for its ability to increase energy levels and aid weight loss. Because of these properties, Ephedra has also been used in the Western world in supplement form. It is not governed by the Food and Drugs Administration because it is not classed as a drug. Instead, these supplements are governed by the Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act of 1994. However, the FDA could intervene if Ephedra is found to be unsafe for consumption.

This is where the controversy begins, because Ephedra has indeed been linked with an array of debilitating and dangerous side effects. Although the FDA did intervene in 2003, and put out warnings to consumers to stop buying supplements containing ephedrine. However, despite lobbying from watchdogs such as Public Citizen, as well as many reports of dangerous side effects and even death, this supplement continued to be made available for a number of years.

In 2004 the FDA managed to enforce a ban on Ephedra, as the number of reports of injury and death that had come in by this time gave the agency some authority where they had previously had none. Or so everyone thought. The ban was pretty short-lived – in 2005 in was overturned by a US judge who claimed that in order to enforce the ban the FDA had to provide more proof of its potential dangers.

The side effects

Some of the side effects that have been linked with Ephedra include:

  • Increased heart rate
  • Blood vessel restriction
  • Anxiety
  • Allergies
  • Insomnia
  • Itching
  • Hives
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Psychosis
  • Increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke
  • Death

As you can see, the side effects range from uncomfortable to fatal, depending on the dosage taken and your reaction to the supplement. Over the years, many reports of side effects and death have been received by authorities, and it was therefore no surprise when ephedrine was banned, despite the length of time it took to enforce the ban. However, it came as a shock for many when the ban was lifted just a year later.

Over recent years, a number of lawsuits have been filed as a result of personal injury and even death caused by Ephedra. Many of those affected by Ephedra side effects have been awarded multi-million dollar payouts. Yet, despite these dangers and side effects, the FDA must now prove the dangers of taking 10mg or less of this substance each day in order to stand any chance of getting the ban enforced again.

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