Posted by Fallen4myT on January 28, 2004, at 20:31:43
In reply to Re: Drug Interaction?? » Fallen4myT, posted by Twainesworld on January 28, 2004, at 19:59:55
Whew good cause here us what I found today I hope it copies and pastes ....youve been a great friend to me too and I dont want anything to happen to you...also I will post a site for all of you to check on suppliments and so on. Ummm, no such pill the anti ice cream carb pills doesnt exist lol SO DIG WHAT YA ALMOST TOOK
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Ephedrine
Supplement Ephedrine
Description Ma Huang is a Chinese herb that is also referred to as Chinese Ephedra and herbal ephedrine. The active compounds, ephedra or ephedrine alkaloids are also found in other herbals such as Mormon Tea and Sida Cordifolia (there are about 40 species of plants that contain versions of ephedra). Ma Huang, and its various herbal cousins, functions as a sympathomimetic, meaning that it mimics some of the effects of the body’s own sympathetic (stimulant) hormones such as epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (either by increasing the levels of these hormones or by reducing their breakdown). Ephedrine is a “non-selective” sympathomimetic, which means that it acts as a general stimulant on many parts of the body simultaneously (lungs, heart, blood vessels, adrenal glands, etc.). It is most often used as a central nervous system stimulant (for alertness or energy), as a decongestant (for asthma/breathing aid) and as an appetite suppressant in a wide variety of weight loss and “thermogenic” type products.
Claims
Increased alertness
Speeds up metabolism
Aids weight loss
Enhanced athletic performance
Mental sharpness
Theory Because ephedrine acts as a general sympathetic nervous system stimulant, it can give users a “boost” or “pick up” similar to what you might feel after a cup or two of strong coffee. By mimicking the effects of epinephrine, ephedra can increase the output of blood from the heart, enhance muscle contractility, raise blood sugar levels and open bronchial pathways for easier breathing. In many cases, ephedra can result in a temporary suppression of appetite, which may help efforts aimed at dietary restriction and weight loss.
Scientific Support The research findings concerning the effects of Ma Huang and other ephedra-containing products is equivocal – some studies show absolutely no beneficial effect, while a handful of others show a modest increase in metabolic rate, suppression of appetite and enhanced weight loss when compared to a placebo. A possible reason for the inconsistent findings is the variable levels of the active alkaloids responsible for the stimulatory effects associated with Ma Huang and other ephedra-containing products. As with many naturally derived compounds, levels of the active chemicals can vary significantly from product to product and from batch to batch – a MAJOR problem when considered in light of the potential adverse side effects associated with ephedra-containing products (see below)Because ephedrine is a stimulant, it is logical that either a single dose or chronic repeated use would elevate metabolic rate somewhat (meaning that you would burn more calories at rest and during exercise). One study showed that overweight men and women who were dieting were better able to maintain their resting metabolic rate (which typically falls during a weight loss program) when they consumed 150mg of ephedrine per day (although no additional weight loss was noted). The combination of ephedrine (20-40mg) and caffeine (200-400mg), sometimes combined with theophylline from tea (50mg) or salicylates from white willow (100mg), has been found to work better then either agent alone in producing a slight increase in resting metabolism and appears to be about as effective as prescription weight loss medications such as dexfenfluramine. In another study, ephedrine (30mg) combined with caffeine (100mg) and aspirin (300mg) increased energy expenditure following a meal in obese women. This combination, known to many consumers as the “ECA stack” (for Ephedrine/Caffeine/Aspirin), has become one of the most popular weight loss supplements on the market.
Safety Ephedrine can be converted into the street drug methamphetamine (“meth” or “speed”). The active ingredient in Ma Huang is ephedrine, sale of which has been restricted in 16 states. Ephedrine is considered a banned substance by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The FDA has received nearly 1000 reports of “adverse events” from consumers using one of over 100 supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids. Complaints have ranged from nervous system and cardiovascular system effects such as elevated blood pressure, heart palpitations, insomnia, irritability, headaches, and serious adverse effects such as seizures, stroke, heart attack, and even death (about 15-20 thus far). Most of these adverse events occurred in otherwise healthy young to middle-aged adults using the products for weight control or increased energy. In response to the relatively large number of adverse reports (compared to other dietary supplements), the FDA proposed to limit the amount of ephedra alkaloids that could be consumed per dose (8mg) and per day (24mg). Quite recently, however, the General Accounting Office (GAO) has determined that the majority of these reports cannot be substantiated or linked directly to any ephedra-containing product, nor did the FDA have adequate scientific evidence that any restrictions on ephedra dosing or daily intake was needed. To put the overall safety question into proper perspective, ephedrine-alkaloids are NOT for everyone – but 1000 adverse reports against the backdrop of several hundred million doses over the last couple of years hardly qualified as the “public health menace” that many media stories have suggestedVirtually all dietary supplements that contain ephedra-alkaloids also carry a strong warning on their labels which reads:
Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid using ephedra-containing products. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid using ephedrine-containing products if you have high blood pressure, heart or thyroid disease, diabetes, difficulty in urination due to prostate enlargement, or if taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or any other prescription drug. Reduce or discontinue use if nervousness, tremor, irritability, rapid heartbeat, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, or nausea occur.If you have a complaint of your own to lodge, you can report any “adverse effects” at the FDA's MEDWATCH website: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch
Value Ephedra-containing dietary supplements and herbal stimulant/weight loss teas are likely to appeal to individuals seeking an energy boost. Extreme caution should be used, however, in those people with high blood pressure or existing heart disease. Because ephedrine is commonly found in many weight loss and thermogenic products, overweight individuals, who may be at higher risk for hypertension and heart disease, should be especially aware of possible adverse side effects.
Dosage Because ephedrine is similar in structure to amphetamines and can increase heart rate and blood pressure in susceptible individuals, the FDA has recommended that ephedrine consumption should be limited to less than 24 mg per day and that dietary supplements contain no more than 8mg of ephedrine or related alkaloids per serving (recently, the FDA has indicated that they may be backing away from this recommendation, but it still stands in the public record for now). It is very important, should you decide to use ephedra-containing products, to understand that there are a variety of ephedrine-like compounds (alkaloids) present in Ma Huang and related herbs, including ephedrine, norephedrine, pseudoephedrine, methylephedrine, and norpseudoephedrine – and products should be standardized to a TOTAL ALKALOID content. For example, a product that states 356mg of Ma Huang or related herb per serving and is standardized to 6% ephedra alkaloids, would have 21.36mg of ephedra alkaloids per serving (356 X 0.06 = 21.36) – make sure that the “standardization” is to TOTAL alkaloids rather than simply to ephedrineIn the few studies which have been conducted on ephedra-containing products for weight loss, the total amount of ephedrine ingested per day has ranged between 60-75mg (usually in 3 divided doses of 20-25mg/dose).
The above dosage recommendations should be considered in light of a recent study from the University of Arkansas which analyzed the content of ephedra alkaloids in 20 dietary supplements. The study showed that the alkaloid content varied considerably among products – from ZERO to 18.5mg per dose and significant lot-to-lot variations in alkaloid content were observed for at least 4 products (meaning that even if you selected the same brand each time, you would be getting a different level of ephedra). For 1 product, the alkaloid content varied by as much as 1000% between lots. Perhaps the most disturbing finding of the study was that fully half of the products showed discrepancies of more than 20% between the label claim for ephedra alkaloids and the actual alkaloids measured in the study.
References 1. Astrup, A., et al., The effect and safety of an ephedrine/caffeine compound compared to ephedrine, caffeine and placebo in obese subjects on an energy restricted diet. A double blind trial. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord, 19992. 16(4): p. 269-77. 2. Astrup, A., L. Breum, and S. Toubro, Pharmacological and clinical studies of ephedrine and other thermogenic agonists. Obes Res, 1995. 3 Suppl 4: p. 537S-540S. 3. Breum, L., et al., Comparison of an ephedrine/caffeine combination and dexfenfluramine in the treatment of obesity. A double-blind multi-centre trial in general practice. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord, 199994. 18(2): p. 99-103. 4. Bruno, A., K.B. Nolte, and J. Chapin, Stroke associated with ephedrine use. Neurology, 1993. 43(7): p. 1313-6. 5. Capwell, R.R., Ephedrine-induced mania from an herbal diet supplement [letter]. Am J Psychiatry, 1995. 152(4): p. 647. 6. Daly, P.A., et al., Ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin: safety and efficacy for treatment of human obesity. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord, 1993. 17 Suppl 1: p. S73-8. 7. Flurer CL, Lin LA, Satzger RD, Wolnik KA. Determination of ephedrine compounds in nutritional supplements by cyclodextrin-modified capillary electrophoresis. J Chromatogr B Biomed Appl. 1995 Jul 7;669(1):133-9. 8. Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA. Content versus label claims in ephedra-containing dietary supplements. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2000 May 15;57(10):963-3-9. 9. Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, White LM, Wang PL. Ephedrine pharmacokinetics after the ingestion of nutritional supplements containing Ephedra sinica (ma huang). Ther Drug Monit. 1998 Aug;20(4):439-45. 10. Gurley BJ, Wang P, Gardner SF. Ephedrine-type alkaloid content of nutritional supplements containing Ephedra sinica (Ma-huang) as determined by high performance liquid chromatography. J Pharm Sci 1998 Dec;87(12):1547-53. 11. Gurley BJ, Wang P, Gardner SF. Ephedrine-type alkaloid content of nutritional supplements containing Ephedra sinica (Ma-huang) as determined by high performance liquid chromatography. J Pharm Sci. 1998 Dec;87(12):1547-53. 12. Josefson, D., Herbal stimulant causes US deaths [news]. Bmj, 1996. 312(7043): p. 1378-9. 13. Ros JJ, Pelders MG, De Smet PA. A case of positive doping associated with a botanical food supplement. Pharm World Sci. 1999 Feb;21(1):44-6. 14. Roxanas, M.G. and J. Spalding, Ephedrine abuse psychosis. Med J Aust, 1977. 2(19): p. 639-40. 15. Toubro, S., et al., Safety and efficacy of long-term treatment with ephedrine, caffeine and an ephedrine/caffeine mixture. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord, 1993. 17 Suppl 1: p. S69-72. 16. Toubro, S., et al., The acute and chronic effects of ephedrine/caffeine mixtures on energy expenditure and glucose metabolism in humans. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord, 1993. 17 Suppl 3: p. S73-7; discussion S82. 17. Van Mieghem, W., E. Stevens, and J. Cosemans, Ephedrine-induced cardiopathy. Br Med J, 1978. 1(6116): p. 816. 18. White LM, Gardner SF, Gurley BJ, Marx MA, Wang PL, Estes M. Pharmacokinetics and cardiovascular effects of ma-huang (Ephedra sinica) in normotensive adults. J Clin Pharmacol. 1997 Feb;37(2):116-22. 19. White LM, Gardner SF, Gurley BJ, Marx MA, Wang PL, Estes M. Pharmacokinetics and cardiovascular effects of ma-huang (Ephedra sinica) in normotensive adults. J Clin Pharmacol. 1997 Feb;37(2):116-22.
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