Ephedra Risks

Ephedra became a popular drug in the United States in the 1990s.  In fact, it enjoyed wide, popular use among dieters, athletes, and anyone who suffered fatigue, which is a growing problem in all strata of American culture.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which regulates the approval and use of drugs throughout the U.S., originally approved the use of the Asian herb, and it became popular in dietary supplements.  However, complaints about adverse side effects of ephedra use began appearing in the late 1990s, and the FDA began considering warning labels in 1997.  That move was opposed by Congress and tabled, only to recur in greater strength in the next decade.  Finally, ephedra was banned due to some sensational deaths blamed on the substance.

Ephedra Use and Risks

The primary producers of ephedra had received over 14,000 complaints about adverse effects of the drug, but the FDA was not advised of those complaints for many years.  In addition, the ephedra industry was spending millions of dollars denying those accusations and lobbying the FDA to drop their request for warning labels.  They won that battle, and in 2000, the FDA discontinued its investigations into the effects of ephedra.

In time, the complaints continued to mount, and independent studies convinced the FDA to reopen their investigation. The FDA also finally received the thousands of complaints registered with the product’s distributors. Ephedra was also suspected in the death of professional football player Korey Stringer in 2001. Finally, in 2003, professional baseball pitcher Steve Bechler died of heat stroke, which was later blamed on the use of ephedra. That impetus was needed. The FDA pursued its efforts at regulation. Congress subsequently dropped its objections and supported the effort. In 2004, a ban was issued by the FDA on ephedra.

A court in central Utah challenged and overturned that ruling for their jurisdiction in 2004.  However, on appeal, the FDA on Ephedra ban was reinstated in 2007 and has been effective throughout the U.S. since then.  The adverse affects of ephedra are wide-ranging and include:

• Heart Attacks
• Irregular heart rhythms
• Strokes
• Seizures
• Depression
• Paranoid psychosis
• Coma
• Vomiting
• Fever

Ephedra Laws

Today, many athletes still use illegal ephedra, believing it does enhance athletic performance.  The International Olympic Committee, the National Football League, and the National Basketball Association have banned the use of ephedra, as well.  However, surveys show that as many as half of all the athletes in some sports still obtain and use illegal ephedra.

Some companies attempt to use other substances, claiming they are not ephedra.  One in particular, bitter orange, which is an herb that is not subject to FDA regulation, is widely marketed, but tests show that it has the same effects as ephedra.

Legal Help

Ephedra is an illegal and dangerous substance.  No one should use it knowingly, but some uninformed individuals may be fooled into using one of the substitutes and unknowingly suffer the consequences.  If that happens, they may have recourse to sue the manufacturer, distributer, or supplier of the substance.  Especially in a case where a coach has provided illegal ephedra to an athlete that has adverse effects, there may be grounds to consult an experienced product liability attorney and sue that “supplier” for damages.