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Ephedrine. Ashley MacDonald. History. Ephedrine was first used medicinally by the Chinese for respiratory relief through Ephedra at about 3,000 B.C. 1954-ephedrine was first available as an oral therapy for asthma( Bernardi , 2004).
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Ephedrine Ashley MacDonald
History • Ephedrine was first used medicinally by the Chinese for respiratory relief through Ephedra at about 3,000 B.C. • 1954-ephedrine was first available as an oral therapy for asthma(Bernardi, 2004). • 1990’s-promoted as a weight loss supplement in Ma-Huang(Reodica, 2005). • 1994-sales of ephedrine now have to be recorded and kept for four years because of drug trafficking
History (cont.) • Mormon settlers used it in early 1880s as a stimulant in the form of tea in place of coffee. • Herbal drink was named whorehouse tea after it being served in a brothel due to unproven beliefs that it cured gonorrhea and syphilis.
What is Ehpedra used for? • Herbal therapy for asthma • Bronchitis • Cough with difficulty breathing • Joint symptoms • Inability to prespire • Swelling and pain in the bones • Common cold • Hay fever • Allergy • Weight loss
How it is used • Tablets • Capsules • Syrup form by mouth (do not use if it turns dark or cloudy)
How it works • Alkaloids are believed to cross the barrier protecting the brain from unwanted chemicals in the blood and mimic the activity of the SNS (fight or flight) • Specifically, it is thought to enhance the release of norepinephrine • In dieting, ephedrine increases basal metabolic rate (BMR), causing the body to burn calories faster
Side effects • Nausea • Kidney stones • Tremors • Dry mouth • Anxiety • Heart damage • High blood pressure • Sleeping problems • Sweating • Increased urination • Death
Side effects (cont.) • Believed to increase risk of heat stroke, because it increases metabolism and impairs the body’s ability to lose heat • Shouldn’t be taken two weeks before or after surgery • Supports only a modest short-term weight loss, but use increases the risk of cardiovascular health problems
Banning • 2001-NFL bans Ephedra use after a number of deaths of young adults as a result of ephedrine-containing products(Reodica, 2005). • 2002-Canadien government issues a warning against the use of Ephedra • 2004-banned from sale in the United States: FDA prohibited the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedrine because of the unreasonable risk of illness or injury. • It is banned in the NCAA, IOC, IAAF, USOC, and the Boy and Girl Scouts of America
Works Cited • Clinical Reference Systems. Feb 1, 2010 v2010 i1 pNA. • "Ephedra." Beth Kapes., Teresa G. Odle., and Sam Uretsky, PharmD. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Ed. Laurie Fundukian. 3rd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2009. 4 vols.