[Health risks raised by ephedra in food supplements].
In recent years, the use of herbal preparations containing Ephedra has increased and so has the number of reported negative health effects. Ephedra products are used as a slimming aid, (sports) performance enhancer, stimulant during long working hours and as a plant-based ecstasy-surrogate in the party scene. The health effects caused by the use of Ephedra products are mainly restlessness, agitation, tachycardia and palpitations. The most important risk factors are the relatively high amounts of Ephedra alkaloids in the preparations available, the varying concentrations within different batches of the same product, the relatively high risk of voluntary overdosing in order to improve results and the occurrence of interactions with the concurrent use of other stimulants and medicines.
National Vergiftigingen Informatie Centrum, Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu, Postbak 104, Postbus 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven. antoinette.van.riel@rivm.nl
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van Riel
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de Vries
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Meulenbelt
D019587:Dietary Supplements; D029789:Ephedra / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety