FDA ephedra ban overturned by judge - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

liquidlight · 04-14-2005, 11:23 AM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7504443/

Quote:

SALT LAKE CITY - A federal judge Thursday struck down the FDA ban on ephedra, the once-popular weight-loss aid that was yanked from the market after it was linked to dozens of deaths.

The judge ruled in favor of a Utah company that challenged the Food and Drug Administration’s ban. Utah-based Nutraceutical claimed in its lawsuit that ephedra “has been safely consumed” for hundreds of years.

Supplements that included ephedra have been widely used for weight loss and bodybuilding, but have been linked to 155 deaths, including that of Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Steve Bechler. The FDA ordered the substance off the market in April 2004.

Judge Tena Campbell’s ruling sends the matter back to the FDA “for further rulemaking consistent with the court’s opinion” and keeps the agency from enforcement action against the companies.

FDA officials did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Company president Bruce Hough said the decision is about “protecting the public’s access to safe and effective dietary supplements.”

The article seems a bit biased against the use of ephedra, personally I've only ever used the pseudoephedrine as a decongestant but I know quite a few people that were rather upset over the ban.

Good thing or bad thing that it's legal again?

la petite moi · 04-14-2005, 12:29 PM

I think there should be more education about it; however, there shouldn't be a ban on it. I took it and even though it was basically like a small dose of crack for my nerves, it still helped me become more active. People should just be aware of the dangers of it.

Sugar&Spice · 04-14-2005, 08:07 PM

I've only seen the bad in ephedra. It's not good for your heart, you have to watch your caffeine intake with it because you could have a heartattack. I took a pill with ephedra in it once and I would never do it again because of how I felt with it in my system.

Granted there may be individuals who can take it responisbly, but there are others out there who will abuse it and end up dead if they are not careful. It's not worth the risk.

ShaniFaye · 04-15-2005, 03:08 AM

I remember when Stacker came out....this was before the doctor realized my inability to lose weight was most definately hormone realted....I took them as directed with every meal. I didnt sleep for almsot 2 weeks lol

I finally got to where I was taking one in the morning every 3 days, still was wired the entire time, but I could at least manage a few hours sleep a nite.

that stuff is more potent than cocaine, and the crash you get with them if you dont keep up with it is worse too.

dman2 · 04-16-2005, 05:38 AM

My wife and I tried it once. That was enough for me. I found that I was shaky and high strung. I could not sit still. I didn't like the feeling, plus it made me light headed.

BAMF · 04-17-2005, 05:46 AM

My dad has heart problems (run in family) and he was taking a supplement that contained ephedra. He also happened to be using VIOX and something else that they ended up finding that it killed people.

I will tell you flat out, if my dad dies from a heart attack, and the company knew people were dropping dead, then shit would quickly hit the fan.

The best way to lose weight is a hobby. People tend to snack when they are bored or watching TV. Doing something else is the best way.

Tophat665 · 04-17-2005, 05:59 AM

Damn Activist Judges

Actually, ephedra is like any other drug: the only things that distinguish it from a poison are dosage and intent.

alec · 04-19-2005, 07:39 AM

i thought ephedra itself wasnt deadly, that like ecstacy, people just dont realize their bodies are frying and keep working out/dancing etc. until plop, they're dead

MSD · 04-20-2005, 05:20 PM

I gained five pounds while trying it. Of coures, as my brother pointed out, I might have gained 15 if I hadn't been using it, but I'm not going to bother, just because it didn't work for me. If you do use it, cut caffeine intake, don't exercise too hard whil eit's still in your system, and carefully monitor your water intake so you don't end up dead from dehydration of hypoatremia.

alec · 04-20-2005, 05:29 PM

yah, thats how that pitcher from the O's died. don't repeat his mistake please, people.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSelfDestruct

I gained five pounds while trying it. Of coures, as my brother pointed out, I might have gained 15 if I hadn't been using it, but I'm not going to bother, just because it didn't work for me. If you do use it, cut caffeine intake, don't exercise too hard whil eit's still in your system, and carefully monitor your water intake so you don't end up dead from dehydration of hypoatremia.

StephenSa · 04-22-2005, 07:39 AM

I took ephedra products for years and never had problems. Of course I didn't take huge amounts at a time but stayed with the recommended dosage. It gave me more energy when I needed it and boosted my metabolism. I think if taken responsibly it can be safe.

Manuel Hong · 04-22-2005, 07:13 PM

Ephedra is very different from ephedrine.
The drug in question is ephedrine, an isolated compound of the herb ephedra.
The herb ephedra has been used traditionally in China as a diaphoretic (makes you sweat) and a brochiostimulator, i.e. it opens up the lungs for asthma-type symptoms and expresses sweat to purge the body of pathogenic influences (viruses and bacterium). The dosage for ephedra (combined in a formula of moderating herbs) is 3-9g decocted. There are contraindications for high blood pressure and weakness that any qualified practitioner would take into account before prescribing. The antidote is atropine.
The compound ephedrine is a highly concentrated isolate that has none of the moderating effects naturally inherent in the raw herb. The isloated compound can have serious effects if used irresponsibly and the diet products sold have far more than the dosage recommended in the classic Chinese texts.
High dosage leads to heart palpitations, loss of appetite, sweating heavily, weakness or arrhythmias.
The regulation of the herb becomes tricky when the compound and the herb blur their lines. Responsible use is so unlikely in our country where excess rule and integrity goes out the window if there's a buck to be made. I'm glad I'll still be able to supply my clients with formulas containing ephedra if they require it. Next herb on the sh*t list is gentiana. Makes me frustrated.

thingstodo · 04-23-2005, 03:50 AM

My question is why? I get all the boost I need from eating right, sleeping right and working out right. In fact, when I train in the right heart zones I have more energy at the end of a workout than before.

It just seems that anything artificial that makes your heart work harder can't be good.

04-14-2005, 08:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sugar&Spice Psycho	I've only seen the bad in ephedra. It's not good for your heart, you have to watch your caffeine intake with it because you could have a heartattack. I took a pill with ephedra in it once and I would never do it again because of how I felt with it in my system. Granted there may be individuals who can take it responisbly, but there are others out there who will abuse it and end up dead if they are not careful. It's not worth the risk. __________________ -Speak your mind even if your voice shakes

04-15-2005, 03:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	I remember when Stacker came out....this was before the doctor realized my inability to lose weight was most definately hormone realted....I took them as directed with every meal. I didnt sleep for almsot 2 weeks lol I finally got to where I was taking one in the morning every 3 days, still was wired the entire time, but I could at least manage a few hours sleep a nite. that stuff is more potent than cocaine, and the crash you get with them if you dont keep up with it is worse too. __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

04-16-2005, 05:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
dman2 Insane Location: Georgia	My wife and I tried it once. That was enough for me. I found that I was shaky and high strung. I could not sit still. I didn't like the feeling, plus it made me light headed. __________________ I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing. ~Marsha Doble

04-17-2005, 05:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tophat665 Minion of the scaléd ones Location: Northeast Jesusland	Damn Activist Judges Actually, ephedra is like any other drug: the only things that distinguish it from a poison are dosage and intent. __________________ Light a man a fire, and he will be warm while it burns. Set a man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life.

04-22-2005, 07:39 AM	#11 (permalink)
StephenSa Psycho Location: Dallas, Texas	I took ephedra products for years and never had problems. Of course I didn't take huge amounts at a time but stayed with the recommended dosage. It gave me more energy when I needed it and boosted my metabolism. I think if taken responsibly it can be safe. __________________ Thousands of Monkeys, all screaming at once. Pulling God's finger.

04-14-2005, 12:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
la petite moi Filling the Void. Location: California	I think there should be more education about it; however, there shouldn't be a ban on it. I took it and even though it was basically like a small dose of crack for my nerves, it still helped me become more active. People should just be aware of the dangers of it.

04-17-2005, 05:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
BAMF Crazy	My dad has heart problems (run in family) and he was taking a supplement that contained ephedra. He also happened to be using VIOX and something else that they ended up finding that it killed people. I will tell you flat out, if my dad dies from a heart attack, and the company knew people were dropping dead, then shit would quickly hit the fan. The best way to lose weight is a hobby. People tend to snack when they are bored or watching TV. Doing something else is the best way.

04-19-2005, 07:39 AM	#8 (permalink)
alec Insane Location: Washington DC	i thought ephedra itself wasnt deadly, that like ecstacy, people just dont realize their bodies are frying and keep working out/dancing etc. until plop, they're dead

04-20-2005, 05:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	I gained five pounds while trying it. Of coures, as my brother pointed out, I might have gained 15 if I hadn't been using it, but I'm not going to bother, just because it didn't work for me. If you do use it, cut caffeine intake, don't exercise too hard whil eit's still in your system, and carefully monitor your water intake so you don't end up dead from dehydration of hypoatremia.

04-22-2005, 07:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
Manuel Hong Addict Location: Land of the puny, wimpy states	Ephedra is very different from ephedrine. The drug in question is ephedrine, an isolated compound of the herb ephedra. The herb ephedra has been used traditionally in China as a diaphoretic (makes you sweat) and a brochiostimulator, i.e. it opens up the lungs for asthma-type symptoms and expresses sweat to purge the body of pathogenic influences (viruses and bacterium). The dosage for ephedra (combined in a formula of moderating herbs) is 3-9g decocted. There are contraindications for high blood pressure and weakness that any qualified practitioner would take into account before prescribing. The antidote is atropine. The compound ephedrine is a highly concentrated isolate that has none of the moderating effects naturally inherent in the raw herb. The isloated compound can have serious effects if used irresponsibly and the diet products sold have far more than the dosage recommended in the classic Chinese texts. High dosage leads to heart palpitations, loss of appetite, sweating heavily, weakness or arrhythmias. The regulation of the herb becomes tricky when the compound and the herb blur their lines. Responsible use is so unlikely in our country where excess rule and integrity goes out the window if there's a buck to be made. I'm glad I'll still be able to supply my clients with formulas containing ephedra if they require it. Next herb on the sh*t list is gentiana. Makes me frustrated. __________________ Believe nothing, even if I tell it to you, unless it meets with your own good common sense and experience. - Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)

04-23-2005, 03:50 AM	#13 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	My question is why? I get all the boost I need from eating right, sleeping right and working out right. In fact, when I train in the right heart zones I have more energy at the end of a workout than before. It just seems that anything artificial that makes your heart work harder can't be good. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.