Usage Guidelines & Safety Information
What is Ephedrine?
Ephedrine is one of the main ingredients in the herb Ephedra. It helps burn fat for energy use and increases the body’s heat output. Studies suggest it can boost the metabolic rate by up to 5%.
However, serious side effects of ephedrine can occur for some people, and its legal status changes depending on where you live.
How Ephedrine Works?
The drug ephedrine and the natural ephedrine-like compounds from Ephedra plants activate specific receptors in the body. These receptors are in the heart, lungs, blood vessels, fat tissues, and muscles.
Activating these receptors increases the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to higher heart rates, blood pressure, and wider airways in the lungs.
Ephedrine likely helps with weight loss by releasing more fatty acids and increasing fat burning and energy use throughout the body. This increased energy use produces more heat, which may cause increased sweating.
Dosage for Ephedrine
The amount of Ephedrine you should take depends on your medical condition and how you respond to the treatment. Adults should take at most 150 mg of Ephedrine daily, and children are limited to 75 mg daily.
Usage of Ephedrine is safe during pregnancy if your doctor approves it. It’s unclear if this drug gets into breast milk. Because it might harm the baby, it’s best not to breastfeed while taking Ephedrine.
The Impact of Ephedrine on Weight Loss
Between the 1980s and early 2000s, many studies focused on how ephedra, especially its component ephedrine, helps with weight loss. This research provided valuable information before supplements with ephedrine were banned. Ephedrine also boosts fat burning in the body.
1. Ephedrine Boosts Metabolic Rate
Ephedrine helps increase your metabolism, allowing your body to burn more calories. It works by stimulating the nervous system, which can lead to more energy and help with weight loss. However, it’s important to use ephedrine carefully because of possible side effects.
For instance, a study found that healthy adults burned 3.6% more calories in a day when taking ephedrine compared to a placebo. Another study showed that ephedrine could help maintain the metabolic rate in obese individuals on very low-calorie diets.
2. Supports Long-Term Weight Loss
Studies suggest that ephedrine can help with weight and fat loss over time. In five studies, people taking ephedrine lost about 3 pounds (1.3 kg) more per month than those taking a placebo, lasting up to four months.
Despite these findings, there needs to be more long-term data on the benefits of ephedrine for weight loss. Additionally, many studies have focused on a combination of ephedrine and caffeine, not ephedrine alone.
Is Ephedrine Safe?
Ephedrine, like other stimulants such as caffeine, can cause side effects. Common issues include:
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Jitters
- Hand tremors
These side effects often reduce after the first week. Despite being similar to other stimulants, ephedrine is often seen as dangerous. There are two main reasons for this:
1. Ephedrine Risks
Every drug comes with risks, and some people’s bodies don’t react well to ephedrine. The FDA received over 18,000 complaints about ephedrine by 2004. Most issues involved people with preexisting health conditions or those who took very high doses or mixed it with other drugs like alcohol or cold medicine.
2. Ephedrine Stigma
The FDA banned ephedrine in supplements in 2004 after several deaths, raising safety concerns. While generally safe when used responsibly, ephedrine can be dangerous if misused or combined with other drugs. Long-term effects are unknown, so periodic breaks are advised for weight loss.
Legal Status of Ephedra and Ephedrine Products
The herb ephedra and products like ma huang tea can be bought in stores. However, dietary supplements that have ephedrine alkaloids are not allowed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned these products in 2004 because of safety issues.
Some medications that contain ephedrine can still be bought over the counter. But, the rules for purchasing these products are different in each state. Before the FDA’s ban, ephedrine products were trendy for weight loss. Some people still look for weight loss products with ephedrine.
NOTE: In the United Kingdom, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is like the FDA in the United States. The MHRA decides which new medicines can be sold. Because of the FDA ban, some companies now sell weight loss products with other compounds from ephedra but without ephedrine alkaloids. These new products might be safer, but they also might not work as well.
Warnings About Ephedra
It can cause severe health issues like high blood pressure, heart attacks, seizures, strokes, irregular heartbeat, and death. Combining ephedra with other stimulants like caffeine increases these risks. Do not use products that contain ephedra or its active ingredients.
1. Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding:
Ephedra is very dangerous during pregnancy and breast-feeding. It has been linked to severe side effects. So, it should be completely avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding women.
2. Children:
It can cause severe, life-threatening side effects. It should never be given to children.
3. Anxiety:
Large doses of ephedra can worsen anxiety. Therefore, it is not recommended for individuals with anxiety disorders.
4. Diabetes:
Ephedra can interfere with blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Making it unsafe for individuals with diabetes.
5. Essential Tremor:
Ephedra can worsen essential tremors, so individuals with essential tremors should avoid it.
6. Heart Conditions:
Ephedra can stimulate the heart and worsen chest pain and irregular heartbeat. It is not safe for those with heart issues.
7. High Blood Pressure:
Ephedra can make high blood pressure worse. Posing a risk to individuals with hypertension.
8. Overactive Thyroid:
Ephedra can worsen symptoms of an overactive thyroid. So its use is not advised for those with this condition.
9. Kidney Stones:
Ephedra and ephedrine can cause kidney stones. Individuals prone to kidney stones should avoid these substances.
10. Narrow-Angle Glaucoma:
Ephedra can worsen narrow-angle glaucoma, making it unsafe for individuals with this eye condition.
11. Pheochromocytoma:
Ephedra can make pheochromocytoma symptoms worse. Individuals with pheochromocytoma should avoid it.
12. Seizure Disorders:
Ephedra can trigger seizures in people who are prone to them. It is not safe for individuals with seizure disorders.
Where to buy ephedrine online in the UK?
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