Houston Diet Drug Lawyer

The main ingredient of most herbal fen-phen products is ephedra, commonly known as Ma Huang. Ephedra is an amphetamine -like compound with potentially powerful stimulant effects on the nervous system and heart. FDA has received and investigated more than 750 reports of adverse events associated with the use of ephedrine alkaloid-containing products since 1994. These events ranged from episodes of high blood pressure, heart rate irregularities, insomnia, nervousness, tremors and headaches to seizures, heart attacks, strokes and death.

The Food and Drug Administration (website) is warning consumers not to purchase or consume ephedrine-containing dietary supplements with labels that often portray the products as apparent alternatives to illegal street drugs such as "ecstacy," because these products pose significant health risks to consumers. These products contain botanical, or so-called "natural," sources of ephedrine. Ephedrine is an amphetamine-like stimulant that can have potentially dangerous effects on the nervous system and heart.

Consumers who have been injured or suffered an adverse effect after taking a dietary supplement or any product containing an ephedrine alkaloid should call 1-800-FDA-4010. Health professionals who have treated patients suffering from an adverse event to these products are urged to report the event to the FDA's MedWatch adverse event and product problem hot line at 1-800-MEDWATCH.