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New York Ephedra Lawyer

What is Ephedra?

Ephedra is commonly marketed as a natural ingredient that facilitates weight loss by boosting energy. It is also known as Ma Huang, Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Epitonin. It is often contained in many dietary supplement products claiming to aid in weight loss, increase energy, and enhance athletic performance. Have you suffered injuries because of Ephedra intake? A New York lawyer at Finz & Finz, P.C. can inform you of your legal rights and options for filing suit for your injuries. Contact a New York Ephedra Lawyer today!

As of 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have received more than 800 reports of adverse effects associated with the use of products containing ephedrine alkaloid, Ephedra’s principal active ingredient. These serious adverse effects include hypertension (elevated blood pressure), palpitations (rapid heart rate), neuropathy (nerve damage), myopathy (muscle injury), psychosis, stroke, memory loss, heart rate irregularities, insomnia, nervousness, tremors, seizures, heart attacks, and death. The agency has proposed to prohibit the marketing of dietary supplements containing 8 milligrams or more of ephedrine alkaloids per serving. For more information concerning the dangerous effects of Ephedra, contact a New York Ephedra Lawyer.

The Risk of Dietary Supplements that Contain Ephedra

In 1994, the FDA began receiving numerous reports of illnesses and injuries associated with the use of dietary supplements containing Ephedra and/or ephedrine alkaloids. Often, side effects of ephedra overdose may include irritability, nervousness, dizziness, trembling, headache, insomnia, profuse perspiration, dehydration, itchy scalp and skin, vomiting and hyperthermia. More severe reported instances have included deaths, strokes, heart attacks, seizures, rapid and irregular hearth rhythms, increased blood pressure, chest pain, psychosis and tremors.

Nearly 100 people have died from using ephedra, including 23-year-old Baltimore Oriole pitcher Steve Bechler who died due to ephedra toxicity in 2003 during spring training.

The Ephedra Ban in the United States

In December 2003, the FDA issued an announcement stating a ban on the sale of Ephedra products in the United States. This ban included the uncontrolled sale of dietary supplements containing Ephedra, citing an unreasonable risk of illness or injury because of the potential risk of overdose in dietary supplements containing the active ingredient. This alert advised consumers to immediately stop buying and using Ephedra products. The Ephedra ban became effective in April of 2004.

On April 13, 2005, a lower court held FDA’s February 2004 ban on ephedrine alkaloid containing dietary supplements a violation of the adulteration provision of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, stating that the FDA overstepped its statutory limits when it banned low dose ephedrine alkaloid containing dietary supplements without any scientific proof of risk at low dose levels. However, on August 17, 2006, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit overruled this decision, and deferred to the original decision of the ban on the sale of Ephedra.

Since the Ephedra Ban decision, several pharmaceutical companies have petitioned the court to rehear their case for overturning the ban. However, as of October 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to reconsider its decision and continues to uphold the FDA Ephedra ban on all ephedrine alkaloid containing dietary supplements.

Legal Help for Ephedra Users

To facilitate the process and to further understand your rights, consult with a New York drug litigation lawyer who is knowledgeable regarding the dangerous side effects of Ephedra.

If you have suffered a serious illness, injury, or medical condition due to the use of Ephedra, please contact the a New York lawyer of Finz & Finz, P.C. today at (888) FINZ-FIRM to speak with an experienced New York Ephedra Lawyer now or fill out the Free Case Evaluation form on the right of this page.

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Ephedra News

While Ephedra Remains Illegal, FDA Approves the Same Chemical for Over-the-Counter Pharmaceutical Sales

Jun 26, 2009 | David Gutierrez | Natural News
NaturalNews) The FDA has approved a new pseudoephedrine-containing product, Zyrtec D, for over-the-counter sale to people over the age of 11. "The approval of this widely used drug for nonprescription use will enable many people to have access to another effective treatment for their allergy symptoms," said Dr. Andrea Leonard-Segal, director of the agency's Division of Nonprescription Clinical Evaluation....
FULL STORY

Falling into caffeine addictions

Nov 2, 2007 | Anisa Buttar | The Rebel Yell
As the weather cools down it's only natural to cozy up with warmer drinks such as coffee, but the extra caffeine may leave people with a daily habit in the spring...
FULL STORY

No Shortcuts to Health and Weight Loss

Oct 25, 2007 | Associated Press | PR-GB News
For some, losing weight is a never-ending battle that entails personal and social consequences. Being overweight is now a health problem for about two-thirds of the current U.S. population. Being overweight and obese increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and some forms of cancer, and other diseases...
FULL STORY