Ephdra

Were you looking for information about
 Ephedra? Ephdra is a common misspelling of ephedra.
 
There is some evidence that ephedra (ma huang) may help people lose weight by suppressing the appetite and increasing metabolism. However, this product is similar to amphetamines and can cause potentially dangerous side effects, such as heart attacks, strokes, or seizures.
 
Due to these safety concerns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned ephedra in the United States. However, some online retailers may still sell it illegally. It's important to use caution if you decide to buy ephedra. What you get may be contaminated with heavy metals, prescription drugs, or other potentially dangerous substances.
 
(For the complete eMedTV article on this weight loss pill, click Ephedra. This article offers an in-depth look at the safety and effectiveness of ephedra and explains what you should know before buying the drug. You can also click any of the links in the box to the right for specific information.)
 
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD