Complementary and Alternative Care: Dietary Supplements
Ephedra and Ephedrine for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance
March 2003
Clinical Focus*
Weight Loss and Athletic Performance
- What is the evidence for efficacy of ephedra-containing dietary supplement products in weight loss and in energy enhancement and enhancement of athletic performance, over a sustained period of time?
- Can efficacy for weight loss, energy enhancement, and enhancement of athletic performance be attributed to ephedra alone, or ephedra in combination with other ingredients (e.g., caffeine)?
- Does ephedra have additive effects with other agents?
- What dosage levels of ephedra are necessary to achieve weight loss, energy enhancement, and enhancement of athletic performance?
Safety Assessment
- Does use of ephedra-containing dietary supplement products over a sustained period of time increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or other serious and life-threatening events in specific populations?
- What populations are at risk of CVD and other life-threatening events through use of ephedra over a sustained period of time?
- Can the risk for adverse events in these populations be attributed to ephedra alone, or in combination with other ingredients (e.g., caffeine)?
- What dosage levels of ephedra produce risk of CVD or other life-threatening events?
- Do ephedra-containing dietary supplement products alter physiologic markers of cardiovascular function?
- What are the metabolic actions of ephedra, so as to explain its beneficial and adverse effects
*Addressed in the summary or evidence report.
Ephedra and Ephedrine for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance Enhancement: Clinical Efficacy and Side Effects
Summary (Publication No. 03-E021, March 2003)
Evidence Report (Publication No. 03-E022, March 2003)
(PDF Files; File Download)
EPC: Southern California-RAND
Topic Nominators: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
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