Ephedra Side Effects

Ephedra was banned in the United States due to its potentially dangerous side effects. Although ephedra is a "natural" product, it can still cause very dangerous side effects. Because ephedra contains stimulants, it can cause shakiness, insomnia, and headaches. However, some potentially dangerous ephedra side effects can include seizures, chest pain, or stroke symptoms. You should notify your healthcare provider if you develop any of these serious side effects while taking ephedra.

 

Does Ephedra Cause Side Effects?

Ephedra (also known as ma huang) was a popular ingredient in weight loss products. However, it has been banned in the United States because it can cause very dangerous side effects. Even though ephedra is a "natural" product, it can still cause side effects. In fact, ephedra is 100 times more likely to cause side effects, compared to other herbal products.
 

Common Ephedra Side Effects

As a stimulant, ephedra can cause any of the typical stimulant side effects. These common ephedra side effects may include:
 
 

Serious Ephedra Side Effects

There are a number of side effects with ephedra that you should report to your healthcare provider. These include, but are not limited to:
 
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • A rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
  • An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
  • Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (known as heart palpitations)
  • Chest pain or any other signs of a heart attack
  • Blurred vision, one-sided weakness or paralysis, or any other signs of a stroke
  • Seizures
  • Anxiety
  • Bizarre behavior or thinking
  • Severe muscle pain
  • Signs of an allergic reaction, including an unexplained rash, hives, itching, unexplained swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
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(Ephedra Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;