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Ephedrine: DR Henny Rachdiati

Ephedrine is a stimulant derived from the ephedra plant that has been used for over 60,000 years in Chinese medicine but can have dangerous side effects like high blood pressure and heart issues if taken in large amounts; while ephedrine is still used in some weight loss supplements, it was banned by the FDA and other sports organizations due to links to over 800 cases of side effects and hundreds of deaths.

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380 views20 pages

Ephedrine: DR Henny Rachdiati

Ephedrine is a stimulant derived from the ephedra plant that has been used for over 60,000 years in Chinese medicine but can have dangerous side effects like high blood pressure and heart issues if taken in large amounts; while ephedrine is still used in some weight loss supplements, it was banned by the FDA and other sports organizations due to links to over 800 cases of side effects and hundreds of deaths.

Uploaded by

tiara rizkia
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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EPHEDRINE

Dr Henny Rachdiati
History
• Also known as Ma-Huang
• Ephedra has been used as
medicine for over 60,000 years
• Used in Chinese medicine for
more than 5,000 years
• Originally prescribed to treat
asthma, congestion and
allergies
Ephedra equisetina

• Ephedrine is a naturally
occurring central nervous
system stimulant obtained
from the plant Ephedra
equisetina
• The stem of the ephedra
plant contains 1-2% of
alkaloids that contain up to
90 percent of ephedrine
• Found in the United States
and sections of Asia
Chemical Structure
• Chemical Formula:
C10H15NO

• Molecular Weight:
165.23 grams/mole

• Melting Point: 37-39°C

• Boiling Point: 253-255°C


Similar Alkaloid Structures

•Methamphetamines

•Epinephrine (adrenaline)
Other Related Alkaloids
•Caffeine - Increases alertness and perception
•Pseudoephedrine – A nasal decongestant. has less effect on
the heart and blood pressure
•Phenylpropanolamine - Another nasal decongestant. Constricts
blood vessels, increases blood pressure and is an appetite
suppressant.
•Amphetamines - Pump adrenaline into the body, stimulate the
CNS causing blood pressure to increase, suppress appetite,
dilate pupils, and cause hallucination
Chemical Synthesis
• In 1911, scientists obtained
racemic ephedrine and
pseudoephedrine by
hydrogenation of alpha-methyl
amino propiophenone.
• In its pure form, ephedrine is
marketed as a salt, ephedrine
sulfate

•White crystalline powder with a


bitter taste, soluble in water and
very soluble in alcohol
Medicines

Many medicines include


Ephedrine as an active
ingredient to aid in
alertness and asthma
relief
“Herbal XTC”
• Ephedrine often
used as a drug at
raves
• Acts as a mild
alternative to speed
• Heightens mood
and causes a
“tingling sensation”
all over the scalp
and body
Use in Weight Loss
1. Increases fat loss.
2. Maintains muscle mass.
3. Prevents the fall of HDL
cholesterol during weight
loss.
4. Increases insulin
sensitivity.
5. Reduces lipogenesis (the
conversion of
carbohydrates to fat).
Use in Bodybuilding
• Increases metabolism, leading the
body to more efficient fat and sugar
burning
• Helps maintain muscle-mass while
decreasing fat
• Used in supplements such as Ripped
Fuel, Hydroxycut, Xenadrine, etc.
Supplements
• Many weight
loss and
bodybuilding
supplements
contain
ephedrine
Supplement Composition
• Fat burning supplements •If taken in pure form,
Ephedrine is commonly
containing ephedrine also combined with a cup of
contain caffeine and aspirin-like coffee and an aspirin
ingredients
• Pure ephedrine has shown to be
less effective when taken alone
C-AMP
Supplement Chemistry
• On the surface of fat and muscle cells there are b-receptors
• B-receptors bind with b-agonists (adrenaline) causing chemical
reactions that produce the chemical messenger C-AMP
• C-AMP activates enzymes which induce lipolysis (fat breakdown)
in fat cells and increase metabolism in muscle cells.
• In supplements containing the ephedrine-caffeine-aspirin mix,
ephedrine enhances b-agonist production. Caffeine inhibits the
breakdown of C-AMP. Aspirin inhibits the reduction of b-agonist
production.

Fat cells
Muscle cells
Benefits of Modern Ephedrine Use

• Helps to retain muscle during weight


loss
• Maintains levels of HDL cholesterol
• May reduce the risk of cardiovascular
disease
• No signs of long term toxicity
• May increase life expectancy in
women
Side Effects
• Abnormally high blood
pressure
• Rapid, irregular heartbeat
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Tremor
• Rapid pulse
• Sweating
• Respiratory difficulties
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Delirium
• Convulsions.
Individual Cases
• The New England Journal of
medicine links at least 54
deaths to ephedrine
•Athletic deaths linked
• Since 1994 the FDA has had to ephedrine result from
over 800 reported cases of rise in body temperature
side effects from ephedrine.
273 resulted in death
• Death of NFL player Korey
Stringer tied to ephedrine use.
• Numerous college athlete
deaths also linked
Proposed FDA Guidelines
• 1. Product potency would be limited to less than 8 mg of ephedrine alkaloids per serving, and
daily intake would be limited to less than 24 mg.
• 2.  The product label would be required to include the statement "Do not use this product for more
than 7 days."
• 3. The combination of ma huang with other stimulants, including caffeine, would be prohibited.
• 4. Labeling claims such as weight loss and body building that encourage long-term use would be
prohibited.
5. For products with claims for short-term effects such as increased energy, the product label must
include the warning: "Taking more than the recommended serving may result in heart attack,
stroke, seizure or death."
Regulations
• Banned by the Olympic
Committee, NFL & NCAA
• Pending decision in several
states, illegal in Nevada
• Banned in sanctioned
powerlifting events
• FDA unsuccessfully tried to
ban ephedrine in 1997
Conclusion
• Ephedrine should be used
intelligently and with caution

• Consult a doctor before starting


supplementation

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