Health Canada Reminds Consumers not to use Ephedra/Ephedrine Products

Health Canada, the Canadian equivalent of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), has reminded consumers not to use products containing Ephedra or ephedrine, either alone or in combination with caffeine and other stimulants, for purposes of weight loss, body building or increased energy. Use of products containing Ephedra or ephedrine in combination with caffeine and other stimulants may have serious, possibly fatal, adverse effects Health Canada is advising consumers that these products are not authorized for use.

Ephedra is a botanical source of the active ingredient ephedrine. Adverse effects associated with ephedrine can include dizziness, headache, decreased appetite, anxiety, restlessness or nervousness, gastrointestinal distress, irregular or fast heartbeat, insomnia, flushing, sweating, hypertension, stroke, seizures, psychosis and death.

Ingredient labels on these products may list Ma Huang, Chinese Ephedra, Ma Huang extract, Ephedra, Ephedra Sinica, Ephedra extract, Ephedra herb powder, Sida Cordifolia or epitonin, all of which indicate a source of ephedrine. Sources of caffeine in these products may include: green tea, guarana, yerba mate, cola nut and yohimbe, while other stimulants may include bitter orange, or its active ingredient, synephrine.

Precautions that consumers should follow:

• Use of products containing ephedrine is not recommended in people with heart problems, hypertension, thyroid disease, diabetes, enlarged prostate, anxiety and restlessness, glaucoma (serious eye disorder) and pheochromocytoma (serious gland disorder) because Ephedra/ephedrine aggravates these conditions .
• Consumers should use Ephedra/ephedrine products only for the approved indication of nasal decongestion, and should not exceed the maximum allowable dosage, unless this has been recommended by and you are under the surveillance of a health care practitioner.
• These products should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation.
• All individuals who may have used Ephedra/ephedrine-containing products alone or in combination with other stimulants for weight loss, body building or increased energy are advised to stop consuming them and consult their health care practitioner if they have experienced any adverse effects from taking the product.

Report Adverse Drug Reactions to the SFDA:

The public and health professionals are encouraged to report adverse drug reactions the National Pharmacovigilance Center on the Internet at