Ephedra: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Ephedra is a stimulant herb usually from the stem and branches of Ephedra sinica. Most ephedra species contain the chemical ephedrine. It's banned in the US.

The ephedrine in ephedra is responsible for its therapeutic effects and also its serious safety concerns. It stimulates the heart, lungs, and nervous system.

People use ephedra for weight loss and athletic performance. It's also used for allergies, nasal congestion, asthma, common cold, headache, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Ephedra is also unsafe.

Ephedra has been banned by the US FDA since April 2004. It's also banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), International Olympic Committee (IOC), and National Football League (NFL). Don't confuse ephedra with Mormon tea. Mormon tea comes from Ephedra nevadensis, an Ephedra species that doesn't contain ephedrine.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

Obesity. Taking ephedra by mouth seems to somewhat help with weight loss, short-term. But it's not clear if it helps long-term. Also, using it for this purpose has been linked with serious side effects.

Possibly Ineffective for

Athletic performance. Taking ephedra by mouth with caffeine is no more effective than taking caffeine alone for improving athletic performance.

There is interest in using ephedra for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Ephedra is likely unsafe. Ephedra can cause severe side effects, such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, seizures, strokes, irregular heartbeat, and death. Taking ephedra with other stimulants like caffeine increases the risk of severe side effects. Do not take products that contain ephedra or its active ingredients.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Ephedra is likely unsafe when taken by mouth while pregnant or breast-feeding. It's been linked to several cases of severe side effects. Do not use it.

Children: Ephedra is likely unsafe when taken by mouth in children. It can cause severe life-threatening side effects.

Anxiety: Large doses of ephedra might make anxiety worse. Do not use it.

Diabetes: Ephedra might interfere with blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Do not use it.

A movement disorder called essential tremor: Ephedra might make essential tremor worse. Do not use it.

Heart conditions: Ephedra can stimulate the heart, making chest pain and irregular heartbeat worse. Do not use it.

High blood pressure: Ephedra might make high blood pressure worse. Do not use it.

Overactive thyroid and related conditions: Ephedra might stimulate the thyroid and make the symptoms of overactive thyroid worse. Do not use it.

Kidney stones: Ephedra and its active ingredient ephedrine can cause kidney stones. Do not use it.

Narrow-angle glaucoma: Ephedra might make this condition worse. Do not use it.

Pheochromocytoma: Ephedra might make the symptoms of this condition worse. Do not use it.

Seizure disorders: Ephedra might bring on a seizure in some people who are prone to seizures. Do not use it.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Dexamethasone (Decadron) interacts with Ephedra
Ephedra might increase how quickly the body breaks down dexamethasone. Taking ephedra along with dexamethasone might decrease the effects of dexamethasone.
Ergot derivatives interacts with Ephedra
Ephedra can increase blood pressure. Ergot derivatives can also increase blood pressure. Taking ephedra with ergot derivatives might increase blood pressure too much.
Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with Ephedra
Ephedra contains chemicals that stimulate the body. Some medications used for depression can increase these chemicals. Taking ephedra with these medications might cause serious side effects including fast heartbeat and very high blood pressure.

Some common MAOIs include phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Ephedra
Ephedra might increase blood sugar levels. Taking ephedra along with diabetes medications might reduce the effects of these medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with Ephedra
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Ephedra might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with Ephedra
Ephedra might harm the liver. Some medications can also harm the liver. Taking ephedra along with a medication that can harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage.
Medications that can cause an irregular heartbeat (QT interval-prolonging drugs) interacts with Ephedra
Ephedra might affect electrical currents in the heart. This can increase the risk of having an irregular heartbeat. Some medications can have this same effect. Taking ephedra with these medications might increase the risk for a serious heart issue.
Medications used to prevent seizures (Anticonvulsants) interacts with Ephedra
Ephedra may increase the risk of seizures. Therefore, taking ephedra may decrease the effects of medications used to prevent seizures. This might increase the risk of seizures.
Methylxanthines interacts with Ephedra
Ephedra can simulate the body. Methylxanthines also stimulate the body. Taking ephedra along with methylxanthines might cause side effects such as jitteriness, nervousness, a fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, and anxiety.
Stimulant drugs interacts with Ephedra
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine, speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can increase blood pressure and speed up the heartbeat. Ephedra also speeds up the nervous system. Taking ephedra along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure.

Minor Interaction

Be watchful with this combination

Medications for asthma (Beta-adrenergic agonists) interacts with Ephedra
Ephedra can stimulate the heart. Some medications for asthma can also stimulate the heart. Taking ephedra with these medications might cause too much stimulation and cause heart problems.

Dosing

Despite being banned in the US, ephedra is still found in some dietary supplements. Supplements containing ephedra are often marketed for athletic performance and weight loss. The active chemical in ephedra, ephedrine, can cause serious, life-threatening side effects.

View References

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Ephedra - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

Possibly Ineffective for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Dexamethasone (Decadron) interacts with Ephedra

Ergot derivatives interacts with Ephedra

Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with Ephedra

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Ephedra

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with Ephedra

Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with Ephedra

Medications that can cause an irregular heartbeat (QT interval-prolonging drugs) interacts with Ephedra

Medications used to prevent seizures (Anticonvulsants) interacts with Ephedra

Methylxanthines interacts with Ephedra

Stimulant drugs interacts with Ephedra

Minor Interaction

Medications for asthma (Beta-adrenergic agonists) interacts with Ephedra

Dosing