How many of you have taken the effedra free version of this? Any bad reactions? I feel very strange.
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How many of you have taken the effedra free version of this? Any bad reactions? I feel very strange.
what happened?
Be cautious when taking any supplement, even though it says free of Effedra, it may still contain some other kind of stimulant. Decongestants are very well known for making one have a racing heart, as are over the counter pills to help you lose weight, as you seem to be taking, they often are replaced with another stimulant, same side effects can occur, and danderous ones at that. Always ask the paharmacy, they are trained specialists in drugs, our doctors mainly just prescribe.
Pamela
To follow up, decongestants (antihistamines) sometimes may have similar side effects as those commonly associated with ephedrine (a single one of the alkaloids found in Ephedra) weight-loss supplements, though, they are much more seldom and I have never heard of deaths linked as such. Anyhow, the reason for such side effects is that they contain a less potent alkaloid called pseudoephedrine (pseudoephedrine and ephedrine are two different naturally occurring alkaloids found in Ephedra with different effects). In Chinese medicine, ma huang, the herbal form of ephedra, was most commonly used for colds and asthma to open the bronchial passages - NOT for weight loss.
Anyhow, to get to the point of the original question - although Xenadrine EFX says it is ephedrine-free, that does not necessarily mean that it is Ephedra-free, which is what I was trying to distinguish above. Ephedrine is not the same as Ephedra - it is only one alkaloid found *within* Ephedra. I do know that the EFX formula contains synephrine. Synephrine is found naturally within the Bitter Orange Extract in the "Proprietary Thermodyneâ„¢ Complex", the active ingredient in EFX. Synephrine is noted to be chemically very similar to ephedrine. Here is a link with some info on it:
http://www.supplementwatch.com/supat...pplementId=273
I'm not saying that it is necessarily bad for you, but make sure that you thoroughly go through exactly what is contained in the supplement before you continue taking it. In most studies I've looked at containing any of these sort of supplements, they have not found to be hazardous to the body. HOWEVER, they are taken under the advisement of medical professionals who know exactly what is contained in the supplement and what will cause drug interactions (i.e., caffeine, antihistamines containing pseudoephedrine, etc.). Also, anyone with a history of hypertension (high blood pressure), heart problems (i.e., arrhythmias, chest pains, etc.), and certain other conditions should never take any such supplements. Just be sure you thoroughly research what is contained in ANY supplement you take - it is never safe to put something into your body without knowing exactly what it is and the effects of its contents.
I saw antihistamines up there. Amber maybe i miss read, but decongestants are not an antihistamine. Antihistamines dry you out, and block histamine that our bodies produce naturally during an allergy attack, can make one sleepy, the decongestant is in with alot of products as well because a decongestant will open you up, make your stuffy nose open , you can breath, or as in some cases make you "lively" so you move more and lose weight ( as the case with stimulants.). An antihistimine, is to block sneezing, itchy eyes ect.. Me, i can not take decongestants, or any stimulants due to a rapid heart rate. When i took Nasal Afrin for 8 days (which btw are addictive, believe it or not.) My heart rate went up to 120 beats per minute, needless to say, it landed me in the ER. And yes people have died from over the counter so called 'natural supplements' from cardiac arrest. Stimulants are a tough call with out an evaluation from your doctor first, for any sign of heart trouble. I have MVP. So i can only eat a couple chocolate bars every few days. As caffeine is a stimulant too, and can be trouble for some. Decaf for me!!!
Pamela
Sorry, Pamela, let me clarify. Pseudoephedrine is the active ingredient in most decongestant products (Sudafed and the like). It is also used in *some* antihistamine products taken for the common cold, for those that desire the effects of both products. Allegra, for example, contains both an antihistamine and pseudoephedrine. Also, many children's cough & cold medicines contain both.
I know that deaths have been associated with many "natural" supplements. I was talking about deaths associated with common decongestants and such. I would not be surprised that if there were documented cases that this has occurred, I was just saying I was not aware of any such studies. Many people take these products not knowing that they can cause adverse health problems for those with hypertension, heart problems, or certain other medical problems. If one were to take such a product and had one of the existing health problems mentioned, they could cause serious side effects, as they did for you.
I *fully* agree with you, Pamela, in regards to getting a go-ahead from a doctor, first. Many people have the conditions mentioned above and are not aware of it. Just attempting to offer what info I can on the subject.
Further warning:
Ephedra and herbal versions of ephedra have also been known to jack up your neuro-transmitters so high that they have repeatedly been documented as the cause of psychotic breaks. What is a psychotic break? When you basically become temporarily (or sometimes permanently) insane, usually manic, and do things like to trying to injure / kill others or yourself.
The only reason this crap hasn't been pulled off the market is because ephedra and "herbal ephedra" are naturally occurring herbs and herbal derivatives, which means that the FDA does not have much regulatory control of them.
McCain
Great Amber! Yea, i lived it, it's like a catch 22 here. I can take benedryl even though it contains Pseudoephedrine. My doc. says for a few days only, after that point the stimulant starts to build up in my blood faster then my body can rid it. Tough using salt water rinses ect. ;) Pamela
What is Ephedra? What are uses?
Historically, ephedra has had various uses in Chinese medicine. More recently, it has been used in many controversial weight loss supplements (i.e., Xenadrine, Metabolife, and so on). For more info, you can try going to www.ephedrafacts.com. Another pretty good website is www.ephedra.demon.nl. Also, just try searching the web and I'm sure you'll be able to find more than enough info.
Worse, Sapphire....
Some of you may know that in certain states you cannot purchase Ephedra-containing products unless you are over 18 years of age.
Some may even know that if you buy it in large enough quantities, the retailer must take your information and report it to the government and law enforcement agents.
Why?
Because ephedrine is usually the primary component of bathtub meth these days. Meth manufacturers started using it because it was cheaper and much easier to come by than the primary components for "classic" biker meth.
So perhaps that also vouches for the addictive nature of this substance.
Another side effect few people know about is that chronic long-term use of any amphetamine or amphetamine-like substance (such as Ephedra) can eventually lead to an enlarged heart. Guess what? An enlarged heart normally kills. Big surprise.
McCain
The FDA does have recommended dosages regarding the strength and how much should be taken per day.
You can find out what the strength is compared to other supplements by looking at the ingredient listing. If you look at the side panel, it will say the active ingredient such as Ma Huang and how much of the actual alkaloid of ephedrine is contained in it. For example, I believe Xenadrine RFA-1 contains an amount of Ma Huang standardized to 20mg ephedrine per serving size (2 capsules). All supplements I have checked say what the standardized amount of ephedrine is - I believe that they have to by law. Here is a page of the FDA's website regarding regulations of dietary supplements, which you might find helpful: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/supplmnt.html. This page is specifiacally in reference to Ephedrine alkaloids: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-ephed.html. Hope some of that info is useful to you.
Is Ef as effective as regular Xenadrine?
Stoby, from my readings, and answer to your question. YES! Both stimulants, and the potential for serious side effects. If you mean Xenadrine and EFX, they are the same drug. I have read some on this drug today. Not too impressive. Do a websearch on xenadrine. Lots of info, with side efects included. I like google. Had more sites about the dug/drugs, you mentioned. Pamela
I would never advise using one of these products. I remember a night about 8 months ago. I hadn't slept well the night before and I was really tired. There weren't enough girls at the club on that particular day and I was asked to work a double shift. On the way to work I picked up a package of "Yellow Jackets". There were three pills in the packet but I only took one of them because I didn't know what they were like. I'd heard that some of the other girls used them to help them stay awake and some of them to lose weight.
OMG. That was the worst night of my life. About a half hour after I took the pill, my hearing started to get fuzzy, like I had cotton in my ears or something. Then my vision started blurring over. I got really scared and then all of a sudden I had to throw up. I went to stand up from the chair I was sitting in back in the dressing room and I fell down. I had a hard time making my body do what I wanted it to. I had to hold on to the makeup counter to pull myself up and then I held on to the walls to get myself to the bathroom. I think I puked up everything I'd eaten for the past week that night. And the whole time my movements were so slow and sluggish, but I felt like I was racing. Everything was going so fast. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest and I started to have pains that shot down my left arm. The fingers in my hands were getting numb and I really thought that I was going to die.
I've been clean for a little over a year now, but I used to do a lot of cocaine. And even after my worst cocaine binges, I never felt as bad as I did that night.
No there's no guarantee that someone else would have the same reaction. Other girls at the club took them all the time. But if there's someone out there who's body reacts the same way as mine, then it can be horrible. I would never suggest that anyone take products with ephedra or pseudoephedrine or any other similar substance. Even if the package says that it doesn't have those things, if it's made by the same company as other products that do have them, I personally still wouldn't trust it. Those things can really mess you up.
As far as I am aware, and everything I have ever read seems to support this, the FDA does not REGULATE purity, dosage, or any other form of standard with herbs and herbal supplements. The only regulation I have ever seen is that almost all of these things will come with a small print disclaimer somewhere on the package that says something to the effect of not being evaluated for use with any illness, etc. It's worded differently, but you get the gist - look on the bottles of your herbal supplements, and you should be able to find this.
McCain
Right you are, the FDA only checks out products classified as drugs, food, ect. But have gone beyond abit at times. i have a herbalist down the street and she said they wont even bother, these products are sold as being NATURAL. AS starnge as it may sound alot of heavily prescribed medications come from nature, trees, weeds ect. But herbal has not gone that route ..yet. They really should, Kava Kava really made my friend have panic attacks! And Melatonin, well our bodies produce it. We are putting herbal products, or so called natural products in our bodies that are acting the same way as a prescribed med. And that is DANGEROUS. Death from a hervbal product...wow! It has happened. WE need to grab the bottle and take it to the pharmacy first. ASk many questions. Because our doctores have no training with herbal products. I would research the hell out of any over the counter or otherwise first.
Pamela >:( check out - 36k
The FDA did pass a new act as of 1994 which gave it *some* regulatory power over dietary supplements. The link to that portion of the FDA's website I posted earlier. I agree in that they still have far too little power over these materials, but they do have some.
Anyhow, Xenadrine RFA-1 and Xenadrine EFX do NOT contain the same exact drug. They do contain two products which are chemically similar (ephedrine and synephrine), but in fact they are not the same. Synephrine comes from Bitter Orange Extract, while ephedrine comes from Ma Huang (herbal Ephedra). They have been known to cause similar effects, but they are not actually the same drug.
You are correct, McCain. They do not regulate the dosage. However, they do have recommendations (at least for ephedra) of what the maximum dosage one should take is. It is printed on any bottle of Xenadrine. What I was saying is that I believe that, by law, they have to print whatever the standardized amount of ephedrine(exactly how much of the ephedrine alkaloid is contained) is per dosage. You are also correct that they do have to print that disclaimer on every bottle.
As Pamela said, it is *extremely* important to make sure you thoroughly research any material before putting it into your body - "natural" or not - you never know what possible side effects may occur. Also, it is important to check with a doctor if there are known conditions which can be worsened by whatever supplement you wish to take - many people may have such medical conditions which they are not even aware of.
One further thing to consider: DO NOT take this stuff if you are diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It may also be advisable to avoid itif you are diagnosed with any other form of mood disorder.
If you are diagnosed with such a thing, and question why I would say this, then discuss it with your physician. He or she can explain why. It has to do with the effects on your neurotransmitters (primarily dopamine), and nastily adverse interactions with psychotropic medications.
McCain