Stop Taking Ephedra

The Food and Drug Administration recently issued an alert advising consumers to immediately stop using products that contain ephedra. According to the FDA, dietary supplements that contain ephedra present an unreasonable risk of illness or injury.

Ephedra is a Chinese herb that is a common ingredient in many over-the-counter weight-loss and dietary supplements. Reports of adverse reactions suffered by people taking products containing ephedra led the FDA to conduct an exhaustive examination of the benefits and risks of ephedra. The conclusion? Ephedra showed little evidence of effectiveness for weight loss, but it does have the potential to raise blood pressure and stress the circulatory system of users. These dangerous side effects can lead to heart trouble, strokes, and convulsions. Many have called for ephedra to be banned, and the FDA intends to do so with a final rule prohibiting its sale.

If you suspect that you or a loved one have suffered from an ephedra-related injury, contact us. Remember, just because something is natural does not mean it is necessarily good for you.