Use of Ephedrine Products
On the edge of the youth drug scene in North America is the use of so-called nutritional or sport supplements containing ephedrine. Ephedrine, a stimulant, is from the plant ephedra (often known by its Chinese name, Ma Huang) and is used to treat asthma, fevers, and body and joint pain. However, ephedrine has become a fixture in the rapidly expanding $4 billion a year supplement industry. Ephedrine products often contain caffeine (also a stimulant) and can be found in pill form (e.g., Xenedrine) or drinks (e.g., Red Rage, Ripped Force, Thermo Speed) in health food stores or over the Internet, and don't require prescriptions. Manufacturers claim that ephedrine products can be used for weight loss, increased energy, bodybuilding and can cause euphoria. A sub-culture focused on body image and muscle building has fuelled the use of these and other products such as creatine and androstenedione.
There is much that is not known about the effects of the products and few regulations exist guiding their use. Nevertheless, a growing list of problems have been reported to authorities in the US and Canada arising from use or overuse of products containing more than 8 mg of ephedrine and those that also contain caffeine. Adverse effects of ephedrine can include stroke, heart attack, heart rate irregularities, seizure, psychosis and death.
Concerns with these products are significant enough that they have been banned by sports bodies such as the National Football League and the International Olympic Committee. Health Canada, the regulatory body in Canada, has recently posted a voluntary recall of all such products (not including those used in traditional medicines which contain smaller amounts). Because young males are known to be less cautious, they are more likely to use more than the recommended dosage and place themselves at risk.
Nevertheless, large numbers of young people, particularly young men into sports like weightlifting, football and wrestling and those who want to improve their appearance, are using these products. A survey released last summer estimated that one million young people in the US are using sports supplements and at younger ages than ever.
What do you think? Is this a substance abuse issue? Is it an issue in your community? Should there be more regulations on these products? What's the proper response? Do you know of any groups beginning to address it?
Solotaroff, Paul. "Killer Bods", Rolling Stone, 14 February 2002.
"Health Canada requests recall of certain products containing Ephedra/ephedrine",
Health Canada Advisory, 9 January 2002
Gary Roberts, Senior Associate
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
Phone: 613-235-4048-225 // 613-829-3152 (home)
Fax: 613-235-8101/613-829-3307 (home)