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By Nicole Nielsen
Arizona Daily Wildcat
August 28, 1996
Ephedrine, a drug regulated in Arizona and 15 other states, may soon be illegal in all 50.The Food and Drug Administration is preparing to ban ephedrine supplements that are marketed as "street drug alternatives" designed to deliver a "natural high" similar to illegal drugs like Ecstasy.
Ephedrine is a stimulant that can cause severe reactions, from seizures to strokes and heart attacks.
The FDA is also investigating whether to include in the ban traditional dietary supplements containing ephedrine and botanical versions of ephedrine, such as ma huang and Chinese ephedra.
When a product is marketed as a dietary supplement, it can avoid the rigid control that the FDA has over pharmaceuticals.
The FDA is expecting to receive scientific recommendations today to help it decide what action to take with the natural supplements.
FDA spokesperson Arthur Whitmore told The Associated Press there is concern in the FDA because reports of injuries have almost doubled in the last year.
Whitmore also said most of the customers are young people looking to enjoy better health or a "risk free" high.
The FDA has received reports of over 800 injuries and 17 deaths related to use of ephedrine.
"We consider marketing of these products irresponsible," the FDA said of ephedrine in a letter obtained by the AP.
Ephedrine can not be sold over the counter in Arizona, but can be obtained through mail order advertisements located in the back of some magazines, Tammy DeGiovanni, poison control specialist at Tucson's Poison Control Center, said. However, herbal dietary supplements containing botanical versions of ephedrine are commonly available in health food stores.
DeGiovanni said calls related to ephedrine abuse are not common.
"It's usually marketed as a bronchio dialator, a drug used for asthma," DeGiovanni said.
Stephanie Ives of University of Arizona Health Promotion said surveys of UA students show use of all amphetamines on campus is limited to about 2 percent of the student body. "All amphetamines" includes diet aids and supplements in addition to illegal drugs, she said.
Ives said she didn't see the ban as affecting many students.
DeGiovanni said that another reason for the ban of ephedrine is because illegal drug manufacturers can use ephedrine to produce methamphetamines.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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