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Ephedrine alkaloids are amphetamine-like compounds used in OTC and prescription drugs with potentially lethal stimulant effects on the central nervous system and heart. The FDA has received more than
800 reports of adverse effects associated with use of products containing ephedrine alkaloid since 1994. These serious adverse effects, include hypertension (elevated blood pressure), palpitations (ra
pid heart rate), neurophathy (nerve damage), myopathy (muscle injury), psychosis, stroke, memory loss, heart rate irregularities, insomnia, nervousness, tremors, seizures, heart attacks, and death. Th
e agency has proposed to prohibit the marketing of dietary supplements containing 8 milligrams or more of ephedrine alkaloids per serving.
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Ephedrine is an adrenergic drug that works by stimulating alpha
-and beta receptors thus causing the release of norepinephrine.
-Alpha and beta receptors exist in the sympathetic nervous system,
-(fight or flight) and stimulation causes increased heart rate,
-bronchodilation, and vasoconstriction.
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Ephedra's main active medical ingredients are the alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. The ephedras also contain various tannins and related chemicals.The stem contains 1-3% total alkaloids, with
ephedrine accounting for 30-90% of this total. The concentrations of these alkaloids depends upon the particular species of ephedra used.
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Ephedrine act as stimulants that can cause rapid or irregular heartbeats (heart arrhythmias) Ephedrines act in a similar way as that of adrenaline. It dilates the bronchial muscles, contacts the nasal
mucosa, raises the blood pressure and is a cardiac stimulant. Further these compounds often cause psychological side effects such as depression, nervousness, insomnia, and rapid heart rate. When take
n in combination with caffeine, ephedrine can over-stimulate the central nervous system, leading to potentially life-threatening results.
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Tea is a stimulant beverage with an ancient history of use. Coffee is another. Another is ephedra, which the Chinese call ma huang. Like coffee and tea, it has been brewed into a beverage for thousand
s of years and consumed for its stimulant effects. Cola nuts, which contain caffeine, are used to make the stimulant beverage, Coke. Legally we classify these stimulant beverages as foods.
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Ephedrine is the oral form of Epinephrine, or adrenaline. It was
-once a commonly prescribed drug for asthma, but newer drugs in the
-xanthine class have less side effects.
-Ephedrine is rela
ted to pseudoephedrine which was designed as a
-decongestant with less undesirable effects.
-Ephedra is a Chinese herb that's been used for centuries to treat
-asthma
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