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Ephedrine alkaloids are amphetamine-like compounds used in OTC and prescription drugs with potentially lethal stimulant effects on the central nervous system and heart. The FDA has received more than
800 reports of adverse effects associated with use of products containing ephedrine alkaloid since 1994. These serious adverse effects, include hypertension (elevated blood pressure), palpitations (ra
pid heart rate), neurophathy (nerve damage), myopathy (muscle injury), psychosis, stroke, memory loss, heart rate irregularities, insomnia, nervousness, tremors, seizures, heart attacks, and death. Th
e agency has proposed to prohibit the marketing of dietary supplements containing 8 milligrams or more of ephedrine alkaloids per serving.
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Ephedrine act as stimulants that can cause rapid or irregular heartbeats (heart arrhythmias) Ephedrines act in a similar way as that of adrenaline. It dilates the bronchial muscles, contacts the nasal
mucosa, raises the blood pressure and is a cardiac stimulant. Further these compounds often cause psychological side effects such as depression, nervousness, insomnia, and rapid heart rate. When take
n in combination with caffeine, ephedrine can over-stimulate the central nervous system, leading to potentially life-threatening results.
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Tea is a stimulant beverage with an ancient history of use. Coffee is another. Another is ephedra, which the Chinese call ma huang. Like coffee and tea, it has been brewed into a beverage for thousand
s of years and consumed for its stimulant effects. Cola nuts, which contain caffeine, are used to make the stimulant beverage, Coke. Legally we classify these stimulant beverages as foods.
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Ephedrine is the active ingredient in many diet pills and supplements. Many use the name "thermo", "lean" or "fat burner." Brand names include, Metabolife, MeTrim, Herbalife, Adiphen, Thermalean, Lipo
drene, Zymax, Genicil, Patent Lean, Thermoslim, Ultra Lipo Lean, Trim Life, Hydroxy Cut, Xenadrine, Herbal Phen-Fen, Shapefast, Thermoburn, Thyro-slim, Trim Spa, Natural Trim, Thermo-Lift and many oth
ers.
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Ephedrine has moderately potent bronchial muscle relaxant properties, and
-therefore is used for symptomatic relief in milder cases of asthmatic
-attack; it is also used to reduce the risk of ac
ute attacks in the treatment
-of chronic asthma. The typical adult dose range is 30-60 mg taken orally,
-three to four times per day, in the form of tablets. Ephedrine in the form
-of nose dr
ops is also widely used to relieve nasal congestion associated
-with upper respitory tract illnesses. It is also used to treat low blood
-pressure, because it constricts blood vessels and stimul
ates certain actions
-of the heart. Common side effects are qualitatively similar to those
-produced by amphetamines and are generally milder.
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In the United States, ephedra and ephedrine are sold in health food stores under a variety of brand names. Ephedrine is widely used for weight loss, as an energy booster, and to enhance athletic perfo
rmance. These products often contain other stimulants, such as caffeine, which may have synergistic effects and increase the potential for adverse effects. Ephedra is often touted as the "herbal fen-p
hen."
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