Ephedra Ma Huang and Related Drugs

Ma huang (ephedra) is commonly found in herbal weight loss products that are often referred to herbal fen-phen. Some weight loss clinics and herbal outlets promote Herbal fen-phen as an alternative to fenfluramine, the prescription drug that has been withdrawn from the market due to toxicity. Herbal fen-phen products sometimes contain St John s wort and are sold as herbal prozac . Ephedra-containing products are also marketed as decongestants, bronchodilators and stimulants. Other promoted uses include bodybuilding and enhancement 

Haller and Benowitz evaluated 140 reports of ephedra-related toxicity and concluded that 31% of the cases were definitely related to ephedra toxicity and a further 31% were possibly related 47% of reports of ephedra toxicity involved cardiovascular problems and 18% involved problems with the CNS. Hypertension was the single most frequent adverse reaction, followed by palpitation, tachycardia, stroke and seizure. Ten events resulted in death and 13 events caused permanent disability. The authors concluded that use of dietary supplements that contains ephedra may pose a health risk.  

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