A critical evaluation of Internet marketing of products that contain ephedra.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate information contained within Internet sites that advertise and market dietary supplements containing ephedra.


METHODS
We conducted an Internet search to identify Web sites advertising weight-loss supplements that contained ephedra. Between July 7 and July 18, 2002, 4 search engines were used by entering the term herbal weight loss. Outcome measures included disclosure of potential adverse effects of or contraindications to ephedra-containing supplements, disclosure of ephedra alkaloid dosage, and presence of misleading or incorrect information.


RESULTS
Thirty-two products and advertisements were identified and systematically evaluated for deviance from truth-in-advertising standards. Of the 32 Web sites analyzed, 13 (41%) failed to disclose potential adverse effects or contraindications to supplement use. Seventeen (53%) did not reveal the dosage of ephedra alkaloids that was recommended. More importantly, 11 sites (34%) contained incorrect or misleading statements, some of which could directly result in serious harm to consumers.


CONCLUSIONS
If dietary supplements containing ephedra are to continue to be marketed freely, substantial reform in advertising regulation and enforcement is warranted.
Ashar
Bimal H
BH
Division of General Internal Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. bashar@jhmi.edu
Miller
Redonda G
RG
Getz
Kelly J
KJ
Pichard
Carmen P
CP
D000329:Advertising; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000592:standards*; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D029001:Herbal Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D011356:Product Labeling / Q000592:standards
D004809:Ephedrine