FDA Bans Ephedra
FDA Bans Ephedra
Rule Prohibits Sale of Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedra
Feb. 6, 2004 -- Today the FDA officially banned the sale of ephedra in any dietary supplement in the U.S. due to the risk of illness or injury.
In December, the FDA advised consumers to stop using ephedra products and asked companies to stop selling them. Today's action makes that advice the law.
"This FDA rule reflects what the scientific evidence shows -- that ephedra poses an unreasonable risk to those who use it," says Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson, in a news release. "The regulations prohibit the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra, and we intend to take swift action against anyone who puts consumers at risk by continuing to sell such products after the prohibition takes effect."
Ephedra, also known as ma huang, has become an increasingly popular ingredient in dietary supplements promoted for weight loss and boosting athletic performance or energy.
Officials say research shows there is little evidence supporting the ephedra's effectiveness in promoting anything but modest, short-term weight loss without any clear health benefit.
At the same time, researchers say it's clear that ephedra raises blood pressure and puts additional stress on the circulatory system. Those effects have been linked to potentially deadly side effects, including heart attack and stroke.
Until this final rule takes effect in 60 days, FDA officials urge consumers to avoid taking any product containing ephedra.
"Do not take these products. They are simply too risky," says FDA commissioner Mark B McClellan, MD, PhD, in a news release.
Ephedra is one of a group of plants that are a source ofephedrine alkaloids, including ephedrine and pseudophedrine. When chemically synthesized, these substances are regulated by the FDA as drugs.
But the safety of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids are not regulated by the FDA, and may be hazardous.
Here's a short list of some products that have been known to contain ephedra. Some companies may have already removed ephedra from these products:
Products that contain ephedra may list it on their label. Products with any of the following ingredients contain ephedra:
FDA Issues Final Ban on Ephedra
Rule Prohibits Sale of Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedra
Feb. 6, 2004 -- Today the FDA officially banned the sale of ephedra in any dietary supplement in the U.S. due to the risk of illness or injury.
In December, the FDA advised consumers to stop using ephedra products and asked companies to stop selling them. Today's action makes that advice the law.
"This FDA rule reflects what the scientific evidence shows -- that ephedra poses an unreasonable risk to those who use it," says Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson, in a news release. "The regulations prohibit the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra, and we intend to take swift action against anyone who puts consumers at risk by continuing to sell such products after the prohibition takes effect."
FDA Bans Ephedra
Ephedra, also known as ma huang, has become an increasingly popular ingredient in dietary supplements promoted for weight loss and boosting athletic performance or energy.
Officials say research shows there is little evidence supporting the ephedra's effectiveness in promoting anything but modest, short-term weight loss without any clear health benefit.
At the same time, researchers say it's clear that ephedra raises blood pressure and puts additional stress on the circulatory system. Those effects have been linked to potentially deadly side effects, including heart attack and stroke.
Until this final rule takes effect in 60 days, FDA officials urge consumers to avoid taking any product containing ephedra.
"Do not take these products. They are simply too risky," says FDA commissioner Mark B McClellan, MD, PhD, in a news release.
How to Spot Ephedra
Ephedra is one of a group of plants that are a source ofephedrine alkaloids, including ephedrine and pseudophedrine. When chemically synthesized, these substances are regulated by the FDA as drugs.
But the safety of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids are not regulated by the FDA, and may be hazardous.
Here's a short list of some products that have been known to contain ephedra. Some companies may have already removed ephedra from these products:
- Metabolife
- Ripped Fuel
- Diet Fuel
- Stacker 3
- NaturalTRIM
- Hydroxycut
- Xenadrine RFA-1
- Metab-O-Lite
- Metabolift
- Up Your Gas
- Truckers Luv It
- Yellow Jackets
Products that contain ephedra may list it on their label. Products with any of the following ingredients contain ephedra:
- Ephedra
- Ephedrine
- Ma huang
- Ephedra sinica
- Sida cordifolia
- Pinellia
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