Psychosis related to ephedra-containing herbal supplement use.
Ephedra, a psychoactive substance with stimulant properties, is found in many herbal products. Often perceived by the lay public as benign, the potential health-related dangers of using these products are beginning to be recognized. We review four cases associated with ephedra-containing herbal products and report three additional cases. Unlike the previously reported cases, the patients presented in this report developed persistent psychosis that required psychopharmaceutical management.
Walton
Ruth
R
Department of Psychiatry, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA 23708, USA.
Manos
Gail H
GH
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D029789:Ephedra / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000652:urine; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000652:urine
D010936:Plant Extracts