Herbs & Supplements

When should I be careful taking it?

The use of ephedra is discouraged strongly.

Even though ephedra's risks forbid its sale in the United States, some individuals continue to take it. Its use should be stopped completely and certain individuals should be particularly careful to avoid its use:

• Taking ephedra causes blood vessels, especially those in the head, to tighten. Individuals who have ever had strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), cerebral insufficiency, or any other disorder of blood flow to the brain should avoid the use of ephedra.
• Pregnant women should not use ephedra because it can cause uterine contractions, which may result in a miscarriage. It also passes into a developing fetus through the mother's blood, possibly causing the fetal heartbeat to become rapid or erratic.
• Due to its potential to affect the force, rate, and rhythm of heartbeats, ephedra should not be taken by individuals with heart conditions, including high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries.
• Individuals with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia should not take ephedra because it may decrease the appetite. In addition, the poor nutritional status of many individuals who have eating disorders may increase the risk of side effects from ephedra.
• Ephedra stimulates the central nervous system (CNS), possibly worsening some physical and emotional disorders, such as anxiety, insomnia, and essential tremors. Individuals with any of these conditions should not take ephedra.
• Ephedra should also be avoided by individuals with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) or urinary retention, because it relaxes the detrusor muscle in the bladder. The detrusor is the muscle that contracts to push urine out of the body. When it is relaxed, urine collects in the bladder.
• Similarly, ephedra causes the pupils of the eyes to widen. Narrow-angle glaucoma can be worsened by widened pupils; therefore, ephedra should not be taken by individuals with narrow-angle glaucoma.
• Ephedra interferes with the way the body uses blood sugar. Blood sugar levels can be decreased or increased in unpredictable ways, possibly complicating the treatment of diabetes. Additionally, ephedra can raise blood pressure, which may increase the risk of complications such as eye, kidney, and nerve damage from diabetes. Individuals with diabetes should not take ephedra.
• Individuals who have thyroid disorders should not take ephedra because it is thought to trigger the production of thyroid hormone, possibly leading to higher than needed amounts of thyroid hormone in the blood.
• Kidney stones have been associated with the use of ephedra. Individuals who have or who have ever had kidney stones should not take ephedra.

Precautions

Using ephedra is not recommended.

Some evidence suggests that children are more likely to have side effects such as nausea and restlessness from taking ephedra. Children should not be given ephedra.

When ephedra is taken with other CNS stimulants, such as caffeine, the risk of side effects increases.

Ephedra is known to pass into breast milk and to cause changes in the heart rate and rhythm of breast-feeding infants. Women who are breastfeeding should not take it.