Ephedrine, a stimulant used to promote weight loss, boost energy and aid in the treatment of asthma, has the potential to cause severe adverse reactions in some people. Common side effects of ephedrine include nervousness, anxiety, agitation, restlessness and insomnia. The FDA banned the sale of ephedra-containing dietary supplements in 2003 and advised consumers to stop buying and using ephedra products. Consult your doctor before using ephedrine.
Identification
Different names for products that contain ephedrine include Ma huang, Chinese ephedra, square tea and Mormon tea. Ma huang is a natural source of the alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Ephedrine increases heart rate and may lead to increased blood pressure. Ephedrine works as a stimulant in the central nervous system. It may suppress appetite by acting on the satiety center in the hypothalamus.
Effects
The use of synthetic ephedrine, ephedrine plus caffeine or ephedra plus botanicals containing caffeine is linked with two to three times the risk of psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety and change in mood, autonomic hyperactivity and palpitations compared with placebo, according to a 2003 analysis led by P.G. Shekelle and published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association." The review states that it hasn't been determined what role caffeine played in the results. Long-term use of ephedrine may cause anxiety and symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library.
Considerations
Anxiety may be worsened if you take ephedrine with other stimulants. Avoid drinking green tea with ephedrine, which may lead to agitation, tremors and insomnia. Do not consume ephedrine with caffeine products because this may increase negative side effects, including anxiety. Do not exercise after ingesting ephedrine, as this can increase the heart rate and blood pressure to dangerously high levels. Limit the amount of ephedrine you take.
Warning
People with cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, prostatic hyperplasia and/or urinary stricture, seizure disorder, thyroid dysfunction or unstable vasomotor symptoms should be especially cautious when using ephedrine. People taking MAO inhibitors should use extreme caution as well. Ephedrine may cause confusion in elderly people. Make sure your doctor knows what medications you are taking, as ephedrine interacts with several drugs. Seek medical help if you experience severe allergic reactions, chest pain, difficulty urinating, eye pain, hallucinations, increased irregular heartbeat, nausea, pounding in the chest or vomiting.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements National Institutes of Health: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Ephedra and Ephedrine Alkaloids for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: EPHEDrine
- University of Massachusetts Lowell: Ephedrine Warning
- Drugs.com: Ephedrine Side Effects
