Alternative Medicine On Call -
The FDA and Practitioners Examine Ephedra Use
by H.P. Barrett III
Heart attacks, stroke, seizures and even death in otherwise healthy young people were claimed by researchers in an FDA study to be related to a common herbal stimulant, Ephedra, used by millions for weight loss and bodybuilding.
This story reported widely by the Associated Press in an article appearing in the Washington Post (Nov. 6), and similar stories in the New York Times and elsewhere, have caused renewed debate, and now law suits that challenge the readily available, over the counter, herbal medicine ingredient.
Researchers recently looked at 140 instances of adverse reactions suspectedly caused by Ephedra and concluded that 43 were "definitely" or "probably" caused by the supplement. These cases included "three deaths, seven instances of permanent injury and four cases requiring ongoing medical treatment," according to the news account..
The report was to be released December 21in the New England Journal of Medicine but released early due to a potential danger to public health concerns. Citing "the occurrence of events that caused permanent disability and death, we conclude that dietary supplements that contain Ephedra alkaloids pose a serious health risk to some users," said two researchers, Christine A. Haller and Neal L. Benowitz.
At last count, at least 54 deaths and over 1,000 instances of complications have been allegedly linked to the drug Ephedra during the last several years, and this leaves government regulators, medical practitioners and consumers often divided on the same side of the issue.
Yet, alternative medicine has its mainstream proponents.
"Anything that has a pharmacological effect can result in toxicity. This has to be particularly apposite in the treatment of children where dose has to be finely tuned" said Jackie Wootton, President of the Alternative Medicine Foundation (AMF) in Bethesda, MD.
"There has recently been a backlash by the medical and other media of reports of toxicity, maltreatment, contamination of products and interactions with medications," Wootton stated."
"These stories are often the product of sensationalism and the emphasis is often on children and young adults. The evidence behind the reports is frequently based on little hard evidence, with inappropriate extrapolations made from flimsy suppositions. Publicity is usually based on a small number of anecdotal toxic effect cases. There is generally no perspective of the side effects of conventional drugs," she says.
If herbal, alternative and folk-based remedies are to be taken seriously by the mainstream public and medical practitioners then perhaps care, concern and commonsense are key.
The respected CBS HealthWatch earlier this year warned, "Given the increasing availability of information on alternative therapies -- particularly on the Internet -- it's no surprise that more and more parents are checking out herbal therapies, acupuncture, massage and other such treatments for their kids."
"Can you safely and successfully integrate alternative therapies into your child's health care? Of course," HealthWatch concludes.
But, as Wootton and the AMF points out, it is not only a problem with alternative medicines. "A (National Academy of Sciences) independent report, To Err is Human, points out that estimated deaths from medical errors range from 44,000 to perhaps as many as 98,000 annually," Wootten said. But she added that "Many of the Ephedra cases arise from abuse and overdosing. Young people and substance abuse is not a new problem, nor confined to herbal and other natural products. There is a need for balance in estimating the dangers."
Attorney John Tied of Glendale, CA, is now actively going after the manufacturers and distributors of dietary products containing ephedrine with his ephera injury web site.
"You should consider whether or not to pursue a legal action against the manufacturer and distributors of the ephedrine product if you have sustained a serious injury," he writes. "The applicable statute of limitations of the state in which you reside will limit the time that you have to file a complaint for damages. If you believe you have a claim, you should immediately contact a qualified and experienced attorney."
Ephedra, commonly known as "ma huang," is an herbal supplement used for centuries in China to treat the common cold, asthma, and bronchitis. A stimulant, Ephedra products like ephedrine and pseudoephedrine affects the heart and central nervous system.
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© November 18, 2000 by H.P. Barrett III
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