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Used for many years in Asia for its medicinal purposes, Ephedra is a plant that is used to increase energy and promote weight loss. It has also been produced and marketed in a supplement form, and because it is not actually a drug it is governed not by the Food and Drugs Administration but by the Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act of 1994. This means that the FDA has no say over the regulation of Ephedra – unless it can be proven that this supplement is unsafe for consumers.
If so, you may have a possible legal case against the manufacturer of the potentially dangerous drug or medical product. Simply fill out the short form below and an experienced legal expert will contact you as soon as possible!
The concerns and controversy surrounding Ephedra stem from the fact that the effects of the plant are like those of amphetamines – Ephedra can increase heart rate considerably, and can cause blood vessel restriction. This can then result in heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and death. The controversy also concerns the fact that the manufacturers of this supplement appear to provide as little information as possible with regards to any risks or side effects of Ephedra, instead focussing on the benefits. Some have even made claims that the supplement is an all-natural one, when there are actually synthetic chemicals on the supplement.
The FDA did try and intervene in 1997, after hundreds of reports were received with regards to the adverse effects of Ephedra. The FDA initiated a proposal that not only put strict rules on the labelling of Ephedra and other similar supplements, but also limiting dosage and the duration over which Ephedra was taken. However, the supplement industry strongly opposed the proposal, and this led to a thorough examination of the FDA’s proposal by the government.
Following government assessment it was decided that there were not enough reports of adverse effects to actually place limitation on dosage and duration, and the FDA was forced to drop this part of the proposal. However, the supplement industry continued to oppose the remainder of the proposal regarding labelling and warnings, petitioning the FDA in order to get the final part of the proposal scrapped.
Since then the controversy surrounding Ephedra has grown. In 2001 a petition was sent to the FDA by Public Citizen, requesting the removal of Ephedra and other Ephedrine products from the US market. By this time it was reported that over one thousand reports had been received since 1993, and up to 81 deaths had been linked with Ephedra. This was followed in 2002 by a similar petition from the American Medical Association, expressing concerns over Ephedra and requesting its removal from the market.
More recent studies have also shown that Ephedra can increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, and this is based upon a dosage of over 32 mg. The study results were published in 2003 in the medical journal, Neurology.
Anyone affected by Ephedra may be able to claim compensation for pain, suffering, and any medical expenses incurred due to the side effects of the supplement. It is advisable to seek legal assistance as soon as possible if you think you may have been adversely affected by Ephedra. An experienced lawyer will be familiar with the legalities surrounding this type of case, and can therefore determine whether you have a case worth pursuing.
A qualified and experience lawyer can draw on past experience to determine the potential success of your Ephedra claim, and will be able to put all the fact together to form a sound lawsuit. This can increase your chances of success, and can make a big difference to whether you receive any compensation as well as to how much you will receive. Your lawyer will advise you on the best course of action for your claim, which can again increase your chances of getting compensation for harm or injury caused by Ephedra.