Ephedra®

Ephedra® is marketed as a natural product under the name Ma Huang and is also known as Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Epitonin.

It is contained in many dietary supplement products claiming to aid in weight loss, increase energy and enhance athletic performance.

In 1994, the FDA began receiving hundreds of reports of illnesses and injuries associated with the use of dietary supplements containing Ephedra® and/or ephedrine alkaloids. Incidents of deaths, strokes, heart attacks, seizures, rapid and irregular hearth rhythms, increased blood pressure, chest pain, psychosis and tremors were reported.

In December 2003, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a consumer alert and announced a ban on the sale of Ephedra® products in the United States. This alert advised consumers to immediately stop buying and using Ephedra® products because of their linkage to significant health related reactions. The Ephedra® ban became effective finally in 2004 after an FDA ruling stating that supplements containing Ephedra® and/or ephedrine alkaloids present an unreasonable risk of injury to consumers.

If you or a loved one was harmed using Ephedra®, we can assist you in evaluating your case. Click here to contact us for a free case evaluation.

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