EPHERDA

Ephedra is an herb that has been used for centuries in China. In the United States, it has become a common ingredient in numerous dietary supplements. Ephedra works by stimulating the central nervous system, much like adrenaline and caffeine.

Advocates say the herb can help people lose weight, but the FDA is concerned about the seriousness of reported adverse events and their increasing number. Because these products are commonly marketed as dietary supplements, there is little or no premarket review by FDA of their safety (or effectiveness), no good dosing information, and no monitoring advice.

Ephedra can produce the following adverse reactions: heart attack, stroke, tachycardia, paranoid psychosis, depression, convulsions, coma, fever, vomiting, palpitations, hypertension, and respiratory depression. The research adds to the long-standing controversy about the dietary supplement, which is also marketed as an energy booster and treatment for respiratory illness.