Ban on Ephedra

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Dec 30, 2003

I thought they had banned it already, guess I was wrong. When I worked Telemetry we used to get an occasional young person with funky tachyarrthymias and the only thing we could find is they were taking some product with ephedra. I was taking it off and on then and it made me quit.

iliel · Dec 30, 2003

Originally posted by TiffyRN
I thought they had banned it already, guess I was wrong. When I worked Telemetry we used to get an occasional young person with funky tachyarrthymias and the only thing we could find is they were taking some product with ephedra. I was taking it off and on then and it made me quit.

a few states passed their own ban, but this is from the FDA which usually leaves herbs alone.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2003

I havent read about it but I hope it also takes away all of the ephedrine products off the shelves. As a ER nurse I have seen way too many come in with advers reactions to ephedrine. My sympathies for these people whatever their reasons has really waned.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Dec 30, 2003

All I can say is, this is one of the few Bush administration ideas I agree with. That stuff is evil. I'm glad they're banning it.

NursePru · Dec 30, 2003

I took this stuff on and off for a year when it first came out. I lost 25 lbs., but went off it as soon as they started reporting deaths. Have you seen a lot of cases with psychological side effects from taking it? I swear while I was on it and since I went off it I'm more anxious, have had panic attacks, and have been battling depression.

I can't tell if it is adverse effects from the ephedra or if my life is just more stressful. I had just as much stress before taking it though and I never reacted to stressful situations like I do now.

warrior woman · Dec 30, 2003

I took it for abour a year. Look at the mess I am now. Mitral Valve with regurg and severe asthma. I've really done itup right, and I have NO ONE but myself to blame. If anyone is taking right now, PLEASE STOP!! Don't make the same mistake I did. You can't taks this one back.

Sunshine78 · Dec 31, 2003

I took it Ephedra also-

It is seriously wicked. It was mixed in Hydroxycut- a popular fat burner-

I am an athletic/fitness buff- Im 5'11, toned and 168 lbs total body fat is about 28%

While ON them- I was 5'11- muscular- 148 lbs and 14% bodyfat. I would take it (2 pills) before the gym about 6pm- Honest to god- about 3 or 4 am My heart was beating hard and fast- I had a hard time catching my breath- i was a mess- I quit on my own- i was abnoxious- easily annoyed and always sweating! If you know anyone using SPORTS ENCHANCERS- 99% CONTAIN MA-HUANG , YELLOW BARK AND EPHEDRA- ALL ARE BAD-

Ok im done sharing- :) :) :)

Its simply not worth it!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Dec 31, 2003

Good, This should have been done a long time ago.

sharann, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2003

Oh boy! I viewed this post twice but couldn't resist coming back and contributing. I am all for the ban of known dangerous drugs for sale OTC. With an Rx, this is a medical choice.

I have wondered how the FDA has been able to avoid this important issue, of "dietary supplements" and their disclaimers stating they don't have anything to do with it etc... How can they AVOID THIS! They are the F...FOOD D....Drug A......

IF a supplement is DIETARY then why don't they control ALL of them?

I'm done raving.

rncopper · Dec 31, 2003

It is ABOUT time that the government banned this crap!

Unfortunately, after the government looked in '94 and again in ~2000 to ban it, they ONLY did it AFTER a well publicized death of a PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYER!!!!!

What about the ~150 people who had died before!!!!????!!!!

(PS- don't get me wrong, I LOVE baseball, and I am sorry such a good pitcher died, BUT, it should have been banned WAY before!)

redshiloh · Dec 31, 2003

I agree with banning ephedra...but I have to say I am going to miss it. Kept me awake in many a class.