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Ephedra is a naturally occurring substance derived from the Asian supplement Ma Huang and is Also known as Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and epitonin. Its principal active ingredient is Ephedrine, a drug That Is Regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and found in over-the-counter asthma medications.

While products containing natural Ephedrine alkaloids have long Been Used to Treat Certain Respiratory Symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine in recent years ephedra has-been extensively Promoted as a stimulant That aids in weight loss, enhanced athletic performance and an Increase in energy levels. Ephedra is now a household name and is primarily found in Various over the counter diet pills.

Originally, the FDA Could not Regulate the production and distribution of ephedra in dietary supplement Because it is protected under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA). According to the FDA, under this Act, the manufacturer of the dietary supplement is Responsible for ensuring it is safe before it That is marketed to the public.

The FDA is Responsible for Taking Action Against Any unsafe dietary supplement product after it Reaches the market. Such as, most manufacturers are not required to register with the FDA Their products, nor They must get FDA approval, before selling dietary supplements or Producing. The burden of proof lies on the shoulders of the manufacturers, and to make sure They Are required that product label information is truthful and not misleading.

Despi the limitations the DSHEA Act Imposed upon the FDA to act as an agent of change, the FDA issued warnings Numerous beginning early in the 1990's detailing the health risks to consumers of products containing Ephedra.

Since the FDA was not Able to Regulate Effectively ephedra until after millions of Americans HAD Already Consumed the stimulant, many consumers are unaware of products containing the suppliers That Were Able to make drug and health claims about weight loss These Substances Without a scientific basis. These suppliers Also neglected to Disclose Harmful and Potentially the deadly side effects of the products.

In 1994, the FDA Began receiving many reports Regarding the side effects of products containing Ephedra. While ephedra-containing products account for less than one percent of all dietary supplement sales, the drug accounts for an alarming 64 percent of adverse events Associated with Dietary Supplements.

Between 1994 - 2002, the FDA Received more than 800 reports of adverse effects Ephedra and Ephedrine alkaloids from. These included but are not limited to:

* High blood pressure.

* Heart rate irregularities.

* Insomnia, nervousness.

* Tremors.

* Seizures.

* Heart attacks.

* Strokes.

* Brain hemorrhages.

* Death.

Ephedra's effects are similar to That of adrenaline and it Affects the central nervous system. Ephedra acts as a stimulant and can cause rapid or irregular en heartbeats, chest pain, psychosis and Tremors. Ephedra dilates the bronchial muscles, contracts nasal mucosa, raises blood pressure, and is in cardiac stimulant. These adverse effects from complications can result in strokes or heart irregularities can cause cardiac arrest or That death.

New medical research has ephedra Suggested That causes primary pulmonary hypertension c. Also, a disabling and fatal condition of the lung. These reports of adverse side effects have Increased in recent years and includes the deaths of a Few high profile athletes.
Ephedra is a dangerous and life threatening Potentially drug. Such As It Has Become Critical to monitor ITS production, distribution and use.

Perhaps this is why, in 2003 the states of California, Illinois and New York Individually Took action and banned the use of ephedra products. This in turn Encouraged the Federal Government to move more Quickly Towards a blanket ban on the stimulant.
In December 2003, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the FDA Announced the intention to ban ephedra.

The DHHS Ephedra Stated That Can Be Linked to Numerous health dangers and the FDA then urged consumers to stop consuming products containing Immediately the drug. The FDA strongly Encouraged Also manufacturers to recall products still on the shelves.

Effective April 12, 2004, the FDA banned the halls of all Ephedrine over the counter dietary supplements, HAVING Concluded, "the totality of the available data Showed little evidence of ephedra's effectiveness except for modest, short-term weight loss without Any clear health benefits , while Confirming That the substance raises blood pressure stresses the circulatory system and Otherwise. These effects are linked to significant adverse health outcomes, Including heart attack and stroke. "

It is now Against the law to purchase or sell all dietary products containing Ephedra. The FDA Notified 62 companies market products containing Ephedra That of the ban. Prior to the one of the FDA banned supplements containing ephedra was Most Popular Metabolife356, which effectively was manufactured by Metabolife International, Inc.

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Article Source: FDA Bans Drugs Containing Ephedra Due to Health Risks