Difference between revisions of "Ephedra"

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A systematic review of 117 studies found that ephedra and ephedrine promoted modest shortter weight loss (approximately 0.9 kg/month more than with placebo) but increased the risk of psychiatric, autonomic, gastrointestinal, and cardiac complications by a factor of 2.2 to 3.6.<ref>Shekelle et al, [http://www.bmj.com/cgi/reprint/327/7418/E222?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=ephedra&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=date&resourcetype=HWCIT Ephedra], JAMA March 26, 2003;289:1537-1545</ref>.
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The Chinese botanical ephedra, or ma-huang, is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Ephedra is the common name for three principal species: Ephedra sinica, Ephedra equisentina, and Ephedra intermedia. The active compounds in the plant's stem (about 1.32% by weight) are the phenylalanine-derived alkaloids ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine (norephedrine), and cathine (norpseudoephedrine)<ref>National Institutes of Health, [http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ephedraandephedrine.asp Ephedra and Ephedrine Alkaloids for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance], Office of Dietary Supplements</ref>.
  
An analysis of adverse reactions reported to poison control centers found that products containing ephedra accounted for 64% of all adverse reactions to herbs in the United States, yet these products represented only 0.82% of herbal product sales<ref>Bent et al, [http://www.bmj.com/cgi/reprint/327/7418/E222?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=ephedra&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=date&resourcetype=HWCIT Ann Intern Med] March 18, 2003;138:468-471</ref>
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A systematic review of 117 studies found that ephedra and ephedrine promoted modest short-term weight loss (approximately 0.9 kg/month more than with placebo) but increased the risk of psychiatric, autonomic, gastrointestinal, and cardiac complications by a factor of 2.2 to 3.6.<ref>Shekelle et al, [http://www.bmj.com/cgi/reprint/327/7418/E222?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=ephedra&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=date&resourcetype=HWCIT Ephedra], JAMA March 26, 2003;289:1537-1545</ref>. An analysis of adverse reactions reported to poison control centers found that products containing ephedra accounted for 64% of all adverse reactions to herbs in the United States, yet these products represented only 0.82% of herbal product sales<ref>Bent et al, [http://www.bmj.com/cgi/reprint/327/7418/E222?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=ephedra&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=date&resourcetype=HWCIT Ann Intern Med] March 18, 2003;138:468-471</ref>.
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==

Latest revision as of 16:50, 29 January 2010

The Chinese botanical ephedra, or ma-huang, is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Ephedra is the common name for three principal species: Ephedra sinica, Ephedra equisentina, and Ephedra intermedia. The active compounds in the plant's stem (about 1.32% by weight) are the phenylalanine-derived alkaloids ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine (norephedrine), and cathine (norpseudoephedrine)[1].

A systematic review of 117 studies found that ephedra and ephedrine promoted modest short-term weight loss (approximately 0.9 kg/month more than with placebo) but increased the risk of psychiatric, autonomic, gastrointestinal, and cardiac complications by a factor of 2.2 to 3.6.[2]. An analysis of adverse reactions reported to poison control centers found that products containing ephedra accounted for 64% of all adverse reactions to herbs in the United States, yet these products represented only 0.82% of herbal product sales[3].

Notes

  1. Jump up National Institutes of Health, Ephedra and Ephedrine Alkaloids for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance, Office of Dietary Supplements
  2. Jump up Shekelle et al, Ephedra, JAMA March 26, 2003;289:1537-1545
  3. Jump up Bent et al, Ann Intern Med March 18, 2003;138:468-471