Ephedra was once hailed as a dieter's dream -- it gave you plenty of energy, to the point where your appetite decreased and you had the energy to work out harder and longer than was probably good for you. Then people started getting sick. Ephedra energy supplements were linked to heart arrhythmias, stroke and death, and they were eventually banned from over-the-counter sale in the U.S.
About Ephedra
Ephedra is an herb frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is more commonly known as ma huang. Energy and weight loss are not the primary functions of the herb -- it is used to treat respiratory ailments like bronchitis, cough, congestion and sinus infection and is a common ingredient in many nonprescription cold and asthma medications. The herb is usually chemically synthesized for these applications and is listed on the label as "pseudoephedrine."
Supplement Ban
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of ephedra supplements in 2004, after investigation into a number of deaths and other serious side effects linked to the herb. Energy pills sold as "legal ephedra" pills do not contain ephedra but rather other stimulant herbs like bitter orange and guarana. The ban only applied to supplements, though, not drugs. Drugs are regulated differently and are subject to heavier scrutiny, so the FDA allowed cold medicines to remain on the market.
OTC Ban
In 2006, the FDA voted to ban over-the-counter sales of cold medicines containing ephedra because people were buying them in large quantities and using them to manufacture methamphetamine. The medications are still available at the pharmacy, but they are held behind the counter until the purchase is made. You must show a picture identification to make the purchase, and there is a limit to how much you can buy per month. You must sign a logbook and give a valid address, a process designed to discourage the purchase of ephedra by meth makers.
Beverages Not Included
Beverages were not included in either ephedra ban because they are regulated as food products instead of supplements or drugs. Energy drinks and teas still frequently contain ephedra or ephedra-derived alkaloids, and certain Chinese medicine preparations still contain it as a small part of a larger formula. As of time of publication, it is not clear whether the FDA is considering banning these beverages.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ephedra
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ephedra: What Our Experts Say
- Herb Research Foundation: Herbal Stimulants
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Legal Requirements for the Sale and Purchase of Drug Products Containing Pseudophedrine, Ephedrine, and Phenylpropanolamine; April 2006
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