Ephedra: Dangerous Stimulant or Diet Aid?

The FDA's announcement Tuesday that it would ban products containing ephedra raises a number of questions regarding the stimulant and weight-loss aid.

Q: What is ephedra?

A: Ephedra is a powerful stimulant that increases heart rate and raises blood pressure. (Ephedrine is the main active ingredient.) For thousands of years this herbal medicine was used by healers in China to treat the common cold, asthma and other ailments. Today consumers in the USA use ephedra primarily as a weight-loss aid or to boost energy. A recent study showed that ephedra supplements increased weight loss by about 2 pounds per month, but Food and Drug Administration and public health experts say there are safer ways to lose weight.

Q: What are the risks of taking ephedra?

A: Ephedra products put a stress on the cardiovascular system and may trigger heart attacks and strokes in some cases. They also are linked to irregular heartbeats, which can lead to sudden death. The FDA's move to ban ephedra was based on a large body of medical evidence that the stimulant poses a health hazard.

Q: Why didn't the FDA act sooner to ban ephedra?

A: FDA officials said they had to carefully build a case against products containing ephedra. Under current law, FDA has the burden of proof to show that the ephedra products pose a significant risk to consumers. The agency reviewed all the available scientific literature on ephedra's safety and concluded the products should be taken off the market.

Q: When will the FDA ban take effect?

A: FDA must publish a rule outlining the case against ephedra in the Federal Register. The ban will start 60 days later - probably sometime in March, FDA officials say. That process could be derailed if companies that make ephedra products challenge the FDA in court.

Q: Are there alternatives to ephedra weight-loss products?

A: Yes. Many supplement manufacturers have already switched to gentler weight-loss aids because they worried about the liability risks of ephedra products. Some companies now are promoting products made with green tea, bitter orange and caffeine, but the jury is still out on whether those products help people lose weight.

Q: What should consumers do if they've already purchased an ephedra product to lose weight?

A: Federal officials say consumers should stop using ephedra now and start getting serious about diet and exercise - a difficult but more effective, and safer, way to shed extra pounds.

Q: What's the economic impact of the FDA ban on ephedra?

A: Ephedra accounted for 7% of total dietary supplement sales in 2002 and many manufacturers already are scrambling to make up the loss. Companies such as Twinlab Corp. and GNC had already stopped selling ephedra products because of the mounting liability.

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